Origin and Education
Franz Wilhelm Tippmann, in Czech František Vilém Tippmann, was born on 11 June 1786 in Jáchymov to Franz Tippmann and his wife Franziska, née Eschkin. After completing his studies he was ordained a priest on 4 August 1809.
Soon afterwards he became parish priest in Loučná near Klínovec. Later he served as parish priest in Boží Dar between 1816 and 1827. During this period he received a doctorate in theology in 1824.
Activity in the Ore Mountains
Tippmann remembered his years in Boží Dar throughout his life. As an expression of gratitude towards the local inhabitants he founded there in 1840 the institution known as Causa Hubertus, a municipal poorhouse intended for the needy citizens of the town. The building is today known as the hotel St. Anna.
Academic and Ecclesiastical Career
Alongside his pastoral work Tippmann also played an important role in academic life. He served at the theological faculty of the Karlo-Ferdinand University in Prague, where he held the office of dean. In 1830 he became rector of the university.
Within the church hierarchy he held several important offices. He was appointed canon of the St. Vitus chapter in Prague and served several times as general vicar of the Archdiocese of Prague, specifically in 1831, 1834 and again from 1852 to 1854. Between 1849 and 1850 he also served as capitular vicar.
At the end of 1832 he was appointed titular bishop of Satala and auxiliary bishop of Prague. He received episcopal consecration on 3 March 1833 from the bishop of Hradec Králové, Karel Boromejský Hanl, who represented the ill archbishop of Prague Alois Josef Count Krakovský of Kolowrat.
In 1836 he was appointed dean of the chapter in Stará Boleslav.
Public and Cultural Activity
Franz Wilhelm Tippmann also participated in the scholarly and cultural life of his time. He was a member of the Bohemian Museum and of Matice česká, important institutions supporting science and culture in the Czech lands.
Death and Legacy
Franz Wilhelm Tippmann died on 20 June 1857 in Košíře, today part of Prague. He was buried at the Malostranský Cemetery in Prague. His figurative tombstone was created by the sculptor Ignác Michal Platzer.
