Etienne Constantin de Gerlache facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Étienne Constantin de Gerlache
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| 1st Prime Minister of Belgium | |
| In office 27 February 1831 – 28 March 1831 |
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| Monarch | Erasme Louis Surlet de Chokier (Regent) |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Lebeau |
| President of the Chamber of Representatives | |
| In office 10 September 1831 – 15 November 1832 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Joseph Raikem |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 December 1785 Bertrix, France (now Belgium) |
| Died | 10 February 1871 (aged 85) Ixelles, Belgium |
| Political party | Catholic Party |
| Spouse | Anne Buschmann |
| Children | 5 |
Étienne Constantin de Gerlache (1785–1871) was an important Belgian politician. He was born in Luxembourg and later passed away in Paris. Gerlache played a big role in the early days of Belgium. He even became the country's first Prime Minister.
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Early Life and Education
Étienne Constantin de Gerlache was born on December 26, 1785. His birthplace was a town called Bertrix. At that time, this area was part of France. Today, Bertrix is in Belgium.
He decided to study law when he was young. This meant he learned all about rules and justice. This education helped him become a lawyer and later a judge.
A Career in Law
Gerlache started his career as a lawyer. When Napoleon was the emperor, Gerlache worked in Paris. He was part of the highest court there, called the Supreme Court. This was a very important job.
Later, Belgium and the Netherlands were joined together. During this time, Gerlache worked in a court in Liège. He also wrote many articles about legal topics. These articles helped others understand the law better.
Entering the World of Politics
In 1826, Gerlache became a member of the States General of the Netherlands. This was like a parliament or a big meeting of leaders. He became well-known for his amazing speaking skills. People listened carefully when he talked.
He led the group that supported the Catholic views. This group was called the Catholic opposition. They often disagreed with the government's ideas.
Belgium's First Prime Minister
In 1831, Belgium became an independent country. Étienne de Gerlache was chosen to be its very first Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. This person leads the country's daily operations.
However, his time as Prime Minister was short. He was Catholic, but most other government members were liberals. These different beliefs led to many disagreements. Because of these conflicts, he decided to resign from his position.
Leading the Supreme Court
Even after leaving the Prime Minister's job, Gerlache continued to serve his country. In 1832, he was chosen for another very important role. He became the head of the Supreme Court of Belgium. This meant he was in charge of the highest court in the country.
His Beliefs
In matters related to the church, Gerlache was an ultramontanist. This means he strongly believed that the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, should have a lot of power. He thought the Pope's authority should be very important in church decisions.
See also
In Spanish: Étienne Constantin de Gerlache para niños
