Félix de Blochausen

Félix de Blochausen
6th Prime Minister of Luxembourg
In office 26 December 1874 – 20 February 1885
Monarch	William III
Preceded by	Emmanuel Servais
Succeeded by	Édouard Thilges
Personal details
Born	5 March 1834 Schieren, Luxembourg
Died	15 November 1915 (aged 81) Schieren, Luxembourg
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Estelle de Labeville

Baron Félix de Blochausen (5 March 1834 – 15 November 1915),[1] was a Luxembourgish politician. An Orangist, he was the sixth prime minister of Luxembourg, serving for ten years, from 26 December 1874 until 20 February 1885.[1]

He was the son of Frederic Joseph Prosper de Blochausen (1802-1886), who had been Chancellor of State of Luxembourg in The Hague.[2]

Minister for the Interior

He had a brief career as a lawyer and member of the Chamber of Deputies.[3] Then, from 14 December 1866 to 3 December 1867 he was Director-General (Minister) for the Interior in the government of Victor de Tornaco.[1] From 1872 to 1873 he was President of the Chamber of Deputies.[4]

Prime minister

On 26 December 1874, after Emmanuel Servais' resignation, de Blochausen was appointed prime minister and Director-General for Foreign Affairs.[5] From 21 September to 12 October 1882, he was Director-General of Finances.[1] Under his government, the criminal code and education were reformed. On 20 February 1885 de Blochausen had to resign due to an insider trading scandal.[6]

Domestic policy

The Blochausen government introduced reforms of primary education.[7] Against the opposition of conservative Deputies, it made it obligatory for children to attend school for six years, from ages 6 to 12.[7] The reform gave rise to far-reaching debates over the role of the state in society, and the relationship between church and state.[7] The new law made it the state's duty to organise public education, whereas the church retained a level of influence over education on the local level, and had powers of supervision over teachers.[8]

Post-government career

From 1893 until his death, Félix de Blochausen was the president of the Société agricole grand-ducale.[1] He died on 15 November 1915 at his birthplace, Birtrange Castle.[1]

Honours

• Grand Cordon in the order of Leopold.[9]
• Grand cross in the order of the oak crown.[10]
• Grand cross in the order of the Netherlands Lion.[11]
• Grand Cross Order of the Falcon, Saxe[12]
• Knight 2nd class order of the House of Nassau.[13]
• Knight First Class order of the Red Eagle[14]
• Knight 1st Class Order of the Prussian Crown.[15]
• Grand officer Legion of Honour[16]
• 1st class order of Waldeck and Pyrmont.[17]

See also

• Blochausen Ministry

Footnotes

1. Thewes (2011), p. 47
2. Thewes (2011), p. 42
3. "Baron Felix Blochausen". Luxemburger Wort. 22 November 1915. p. 4. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
4. "Hundert Jahre Gas in der Stadt Luxemburg". Ons Hémecht. 44 (1): 51. 1 January 1938.
5. Thewes (2011), p. 42-43
6. Thewes (2011), p. 48
7. Thewes (2011), p. 44
8. Thewes (2011). p. 44-45
9. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
10. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
11. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
12. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
13. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
14. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
15. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
16. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.
17. Moniteur Belge, Partie Officielle; 1879.-49e jg. n° 179.

References

• Thewes, Guy (2011). Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 (PDF) (in French). Service Information et Presse. pp. 48–51. ISBN 978-2-87999-212-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

Political offices
Preceded by Emmanuel Servais	Prime Minister of Luxembourg 1874–1885	Succeeded by Édouard Thilges
	Director-General for Foreign Affairs 1874–1885
Preceded by Victor de Roebé	Director-General for Finances 1882	Succeeded by Mathias Mongenast