The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Zerboni di Sposetti, Joseph

ZERBONI DI SPOSETTI, Joseph, German philosopher: b. Breslau, 1760; d 1831. In 1796 he wrote to the governor of Silesia a letter in which he set forth the absurdity of granting to the nobility exalted privileges through right of birth. Knowledge of the letter reaching Frederick William III, he was imprisoned for three years on a charge of high treason. When his case was brought to trial he was freed, with no political disability, and later received various official appointments.