Old University of Leuven
Encyclopedia
The Old University of Leuven (or of Louvain) is the name historians give to the university
, or studium generale
, founded in Leuven
, Brabant
(now part of Belgium
), in 1425, and closed in 1797, a week after the cession
to the French Republic of the Austrian Netherlands and the principality of Liège (the future Belgium) by the Treaty of Campo Formio
.
When the context makes the use of "old" unnecessary, it is referred to simply as the University of Leuven or University of Louvain. The "new" university would generally be the Catholic University of Leuven
(established 1835), but might also refer to a short-lived, but of great historical importance, State University of Leuven
, 1817–1835. The immediate official and legal successor and inheritor of the old University, under the laws in force in 1797, was the École centrale de Bruxelles, which itself closed down in 1802.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the old University of Leuven was until its closure a great centre of Jansenism
in Europe, with professors such as Cornelius Jansenius, Peter Stockmans, Johannes van Neercassel
, Josse Le Plat and especially Zeger Bernhard van Espen
and his famous disciple Febronius. To shake off this reputation, the faculty of theology thrice declared its adherence to the papal condemnation of Jansenist beliefs in the papal bull Unigenitus
(1713).
, with the support of John IV, Duke of Brabant
, a prince of the House of Valois, made a formal request to the Holy See
for a university.
Pope Martin V
issued a papal bull
dated 9 December 1425 founding the University in Leuven as a Studium Generale. This university was institutionally independent of the local ecclesiastical hierarchy.
From the founding of the university to its abolition in 1797, Latin was the sole language of instruction.
In its early years, this university was modelled on those of Paris
, Cologne
and Vienna
. The university flourished in the 16th century due to the presence of famous scholars and professors, such as Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens (Pope Adrian VI
), Desiderius Erasmus
, Johannes Molanus, Joan Lluís Vives, Andreas Vesalius and Gerardus Mercator
.
In 1519, the Faculty of Theology
of Leuven, jointly with that of the University of Cologne
, became the first institution to condemn a number of statements drawn from Martin Luther
's Ninety-Five Theses (preceding the papal bull
Exsurge Domine
by several months).
After the French Revolutionary Wars
, by the Treaty of Campo Formio
, the Austrian Netherlands was ceded to the French Republic by Austria
in exchange for the Republic of Venice
. Once formally integrated into the French Republic, a law dating to 1793 mandating that all universities in France be closed came into effect. The University of Leuven was abolished by decree of the Département of the Dyle on October 25, 1797.
What remained of the university's movables and books were requisitioned for the École centrale in Brussels. This was the immediate official and legal successor and inheritor of the old University, under the laws in force at the time. It was in turn closed down in 1802.
, 1817–1835, where a dozen professors of the old University taught. This was followed by a private Catholic university, the Catholic University of Leuven
, established in Leuven in 1835 (initially the Catholic University of Mechlin
, 1834–1835). This institution was founded with the intention of restoring the confessionally Catholic pre-Revolutionary traditions of learning in Leuven. In 1968 this split to form the two current institutions: the Dutch language Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
and the French language Université catholique de Louvain
.
From the founding of the University in 1425 up until 1636, there was no official library of the university. Very likely the students had access to manuscripts and printed books preserved in the homes of their professors or colleges.
In 1636, however, a university library
was founded in the Cloth hall
and was enlarged in 1725 in a baroque
style.
In 1797 much of what remained of this library after the depredations of the French occupying forces was sent to the Central School of Brussels, established as the official replacement of the abolished university, although its most precious books and manuscripts were deposited in Paris among the treasures of the Bibliothèque nationale de France
. The library of the Central School of Brussels came to number about 80,000 volumes, which later became part of the Library of Brussels, and then the Royal Library of Belgium
.
Also the rich archives of the old University of Leuven are always existing and stored in the General Archive of the Realm in Brussels.
Indeed, the library burned in 1914 by the Germans was not the original library of the old University of Louvain, but the new library of the new Catholic University of Leuven
.
Medieval university
Medieval university is an institution of higher learning which was established during High Middle Ages period and is a corporation.The first institutions generally considered to be universities were established in Italy, France, and England in the late 11th and the 12th centuries for the study of...
, or studium generale
Studium Generale
Studium generale is the old customary name for a Medieval university.- Definition :There is no clear official definition of what constituted a Studium generale...
, founded in Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, Brabant
Duchy of Brabant
The Duchy of Brabant was a historical region in the Low Countries. Its territory consisted essentially of the three modern-day Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant and Antwerp, the Brussels-Capital Region and most of the present-day Dutch province of North Brabant.The Flag of...
(now part of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
), in 1425, and closed in 1797, a week after the cession
Cession
The act of Cession, or to cede, is the assignment of property to another entity. In international law it commonly refers to land transferred by treaty...
to the French Republic of the Austrian Netherlands and the principality of Liège (the future Belgium) by the Treaty of Campo Formio
Treaty of Campo Formio
The Treaty of Campo Formio was signed on 18 October 1797 by Napoleon Bonaparte and Count Philipp von Cobenzl as representatives of revolutionary France and the Austrian monarchy...
.
When the context makes the use of "old" unnecessary, it is referred to simply as the University of Leuven or University of Louvain. The "new" university would generally be the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
(established 1835), but might also refer to a short-lived, but of great historical importance, State University of Leuven
State University of Leuven
The State University of Leuven a liberal, neutral and non-confessional university founded in 1817 in Leuven, Belgium, which was then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was not a continuation of the former Old University of Leuven, however, a dozen of professors of the Old University...
, 1817–1835. The immediate official and legal successor and inheritor of the old University, under the laws in force in 1797, was the École centrale de Bruxelles, which itself closed down in 1802.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the old University of Leuven was until its closure a great centre of Jansenism
Jansenism
Jansenism was a Christian theological movement, primarily in France, that emphasized original sin, human depravity, the necessity of divine grace, and predestination. The movement originated from the posthumously published work of the Dutch theologian Cornelius Otto Jansen, who died in 1638...
in Europe, with professors such as Cornelius Jansenius, Peter Stockmans, Johannes van Neercassel
Johannes van Neercassel
Johannes Baptista van Neercassel was Vicar Apostolic to the Dutch Mission from 1663 to 1686.-Life:He studied at Louvain and in Paris, where he joined the Oratorians. He was ordained priest in 1648 and in 1652 joined the Dutch Mission. In 1662 he was consecrated titular bishop of Castorie and in...
, Josse Le Plat and especially Zeger Bernhard van Espen
Zeger Bernhard van Espen
Zeger Bernhard van Espen was a Belgian canonist.-Life:...
and his famous disciple Febronius. To shake off this reputation, the faculty of theology thrice declared its adherence to the papal condemnation of Jansenist beliefs in the papal bull Unigenitus
Unigenitus
Unigenitus , an apostolic constitution in the form of a papal bull promulgated by Pope Clement XI in 1713, opened the final phase of the Jansenist controversy in France...
(1713).
History
In the 15th century the civil administration of the town of LeuvenLeuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, with the support of John IV, Duke of Brabant
John IV, Duke of Brabant
John IV, Duke of Brabant was the son of Antoine of Burgundy, Duke of Brabant, Lothier and Limburg.John IV was the second Brabantian ruler of the House of Valois....
, a prince of the House of Valois, made a formal request to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
for a university.
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
issued a papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
dated 9 December 1425 founding the University in Leuven as a Studium Generale. This university was institutionally independent of the local ecclesiastical hierarchy.
From the founding of the university to its abolition in 1797, Latin was the sole language of instruction.
In its early years, this university was modelled on those of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, Cologne
University of Cologne
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and, with over 44,000 students, one of the largest universities in Germany. The university is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, an association of Germany's leading research universities...
and Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
. The university flourished in the 16th century due to the presence of famous scholars and professors, such as Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens (Pope Adrian VI
Pope Adrian VI
Pope Adrian VI , born Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens, served as Pope from 9 January 1522 until his death some 18 months later...
), Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus , known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian....
, Johannes Molanus, Joan Lluís Vives, Andreas Vesalius and Gerardus Mercator
Gerardus Mercator
thumb|right|200px|Gerardus MercatorGerardus Mercator was a cartographer, born in Rupelmonde in the Hapsburg County of Flanders, part of the Holy Roman Empire. He is remembered for the Mercator projection world map, which is named after him...
.
In 1519, the Faculty of Theology
Faculty of Theology, Catholic University of Leuven
The Leuven Faculty of Theology, — a branch of the Catholic University of Leuven — is the oldest Theological Faculty in the Low Countries, and one of the oldest faculties in the world. The faculty was established in 1432, as a part of the existing Old University, and closed its doors in 1797 when...
of Leuven, jointly with that of the University of Cologne
University of Cologne
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and, with over 44,000 students, one of the largest universities in Germany. The university is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, an association of Germany's leading research universities...
, became the first institution to condemn a number of statements drawn from Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
's Ninety-Five Theses (preceding the papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
Exsurge Domine
Exsurge Domine
220px|thumb|Title page of first printed edition of Exsurge DomineExsurge Domine is a papal bull issued on 15 June 1520 by Pope Leo X in response to the teachings of Martin Luther in his 95 theses and subsequent writings which opposed the views of the papacy...
by several months).
After the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
, by the Treaty of Campo Formio
Treaty of Campo Formio
The Treaty of Campo Formio was signed on 18 October 1797 by Napoleon Bonaparte and Count Philipp von Cobenzl as representatives of revolutionary France and the Austrian monarchy...
, the Austrian Netherlands was ceded to the French Republic by Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in exchange for the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
. Once formally integrated into the French Republic, a law dating to 1793 mandating that all universities in France be closed came into effect. The University of Leuven was abolished by decree of the Département of the Dyle on October 25, 1797.
What remained of the university's movables and books were requisitioned for the École centrale in Brussels. This was the immediate official and legal successor and inheritor of the old University, under the laws in force at the time. It was in turn closed down in 1802.
Subsequent institutions
The first attempt to found a successor university in the nineteenth-century was the State University of LeuvenState University of Leuven
The State University of Leuven a liberal, neutral and non-confessional university founded in 1817 in Leuven, Belgium, which was then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was not a continuation of the former Old University of Leuven, however, a dozen of professors of the Old University...
, 1817–1835, where a dozen professors of the old University taught. This was followed by a private Catholic university, the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
, established in Leuven in 1835 (initially the Catholic University of Mechlin
Catholic University of Mechlin
The Catholic University of Mechlin was a university that was founded in Mechelen , Belgium, on November 8, 1834 by the bishops of Belgium.The bishops aimed to create a university "to accommodate any doctrine from the Holy Apostolic See and to repudiate anything that does not flow from this august...
, 1834–1835). This institution was founded with the intention of restoring the confessionally Catholic pre-Revolutionary traditions of learning in Leuven. In 1968 this split to form the two current institutions: the Dutch language Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
and the French language Université catholique de Louvain
Université catholique de Louvain
The Université catholique de Louvain, sometimes known, especially in Belgium, as UCL, is Belgium's largest French-speaking university. It is located in Louvain-la-Neuve and in Brussels...
.
The library
In 1636, however, a university library
Academic libraries in Leuven
The city of Leuven was not only the seat of three different Universities, but also through them, the seat of prestigious academic libraries.- The Library of the Old University of Leuven :...
was founded in the Cloth hall
Cloth hall
A cloth hall or linen hall is a historic building located in the centre of main marketplaces of European towns. They contained trading stalls, particularly for the selling of cloth as well as leather, wax and salt, including exotic imports such as spices and silk...
and was enlarged in 1725 in a baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style.
In 1797 much of what remained of this library after the depredations of the French occupying forces was sent to the Central School of Brussels, established as the official replacement of the abolished university, although its most precious books and manuscripts were deposited in Paris among the treasures of the Bibliothèque nationale de France
Bibliothèque nationale de France
The is the National Library of France, located in Paris. It is intended to be the repository of all that is published in France. The current president of the library is Bruno Racine.-History:...
. The library of the Central School of Brussels came to number about 80,000 volumes, which later became part of the Library of Brussels, and then the Royal Library of Belgium
Royal Library of Belgium
The Royal Library of Belgium is one of the most important cultural institutions in Belgium. The library has a history that goes back to the age of the Dukes of Burgundy...
.
Also the rich archives of the old University of Leuven are always existing and stored in the General Archive of the Realm in Brussels.
Indeed, the library burned in 1914 by the Germans was not the original library of the old University of Louvain, but the new library of the new Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
.
Notable alumni of the pre-1797 University of Leuven
- Jan StandonckJan StandonckJan Standonck was a Dutch priest, Scholastic, and reformer.He was part of the great movement for reform in the 15th century French church. His approach was to reform the recruitment and education of the clergy, along very ascetic lines, heavily influenced by the hermit saint Francis of Paola...
(1454–1504), Master of the Collège de MontaiguCollège de MontaiguThe Collège de Montaigu was one of the constituent colleges of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Paris. The college, originally called the Collège des Aicelins, was founded in 1314 by Giles Aicelin, the Archbishop of Rouen...
in ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region... - Adriaan Floriszoon BoeyensPope Adrian VIPope Adrian VI , born Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens, served as Pope from 9 January 1522 until his death some 18 months later...
(1459–1523), Pope Adrian VI - Desiderius ErasmusDesiderius ErasmusDesiderius Erasmus Roterodamus , known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian....
(1466–1536), humanistHumanismHumanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism.... - Johannes SturmJohannes SturmJohannes Sturm, Latinized as Ioannes Sturmius was a German educator, influential in the design of the Gymnasium system of secondary education.- Biography :...
(1507–1589), German educator - Gerard Mercator (1512–1594), cartographer
- Michael BaiusMichael BaiusMichael Baius was a Belgian theologian. He came up with the school of thought Baianism.He was born at Meslin L'Eveque near Ath in Hainaut as Michel De Bay. Educated at the Catholic University of Leuven, he studied philosophy and theology with distinguished success, and was rewarded by a series of...
(1513–1589), theologian - Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), father of modern anatomyAnatomyAnatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
- Rembert DodoensRembert DodoensRembert Dodoens was a Flemish physician and botanist, also known under his Latinized name Rembertus Dodonaeus.-Biography:...
(1517–1585), botanist - Antoine Perrenot de GranvelleAntoine Perrenot de GranvelleAntoine Perrenot de Granvelle , Comte de La Baume Saint Amour, was a Burgundian statesman, made a cardinal, who followed his father as a leading minister of the Spanish Habsburgs, and was one of the most influential European politicians during the time which immediately followed the appearance of...
(1517–1586), cardinal, statesman - Petrus Peckius the ElderPetrus Peckius the ElderPetrus Peckius the Elder , also known as Pierre Peckius, was an eminent Netherlandish jurist, one of the first to write about international maritime law, and the father of Petrus Peckius the Younger.He was an orthodox Catholic and remained loyal to the Crown during the Eighty Years' War...
(1529–1589), law professor - BlessedBeatificationBeatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
Diarmaid Ó hUrthuile, or Dermot O'Hurley (c. 1530 - 1584), Archbishop of CashelCashel, County TipperaryCashel is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 2936 at the 2006 census. The town gives its name to the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. Additionally, the cathedra of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly was originally in the town prior to the English Reformation....
, Roman Catholic martyr - Willem Hessels van EstWillem Hessels van EstWillem Hessels van Est was a Flemish commentator on the Pauline epistles.-Biography:He was born at Gorcum, Holland....
(1542–1613), biblical scholar - Justus LipsiusJustus LipsiusJustus Lipsius was a Southern-Netherlandish philologist and humanist. Lipsius wrote a series of works designed to revive ancient Stoicism in a form that would be compatible with Christianity. The most famous of these is De Constantia...
(1547–1606), philologist - Leonardus LessiusLeonardus LessiusLeonardus Lessius was a Jesuit moral theologian and a pioneer in business ethics.-Life:...
(1554–1623), Jesuit moral theologian - Petrus Peckius the Younger (1562–1625), diplomat and chancellorChancellorChancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of Brabant - Aubert MiraeusAubert MiraeusAubert Miraeus , also called Aubert le Mire, was an ecclesiastical historian.-Life:He was born in Brussels. After studying at Douai and Leuven he was made canon of Antwerp cathedral in 1608 and secretary to his uncle, Joannes Miraeus, who was then Bishop of Antwerp...
(1573–1640), ecclesiastical historian - Jacobus BoonenJacobus BoonenJacobus Boonen was the fourth Archbishop of Mechelen .Boonen studied at the University of Leuven and began a legal career....
(1573–1655), Archbishop of Mechelen - Lawrence BeyerlinckLawrence BeyerlinckLawrence Beyerlinck was a Belgian theologian and ecclesiastical writer who wrote one of the first encyclopedias.-Life:...
(1578–1627), encyclopedist - Nicolaus Vernulaeus (1583–1649), Latin playwright
- Abbé de Saint-CyranJean du Vergier de HauranneJean du Vergier de Hauranne, Abbé of Saint-Cyran was a French monk who introduced Jansenism into France.In the early 17th century, Jean du Vergier de Hauranne studied theology at the Catholic University of Leuven...
(1583–1643), French ecclesiastic - Cornelius Otto Jansen (1585–1638), father of JansenismJansenismJansenism was a Christian theological movement, primarily in France, that emphasized original sin, human depravity, the necessity of divine grace, and predestination. The movement originated from the posthumously published work of the Dutch theologian Cornelius Otto Jansen, who died in 1638...
- Marcin KalinowskiMarcin KalinowskiMarcin Kalinowski Field Crown Hetman, was a Polish magnate and nobleman , Kalinowa coat of arms. Son of fallen at the battle of Cecora Walenty Aleksander Kalinowski. He began his studies in Poland and continued his education at the University of Leuven...
(c. 1605–1652), Polish nobleman - Łukasz Opaliński (1612–1666), political writer
- Cornelis de BieCornelis de BieCornelis de Bie was a Brabant rederijker, poet, jurist and minor politician from Lier.He is the author of about 64 works, mostly comedies...
(1627 - c.1715), Flemish rhetorician - Francis MartinFrancis Martin-Biography:He was born in Galway during the occupation of the town by the Cromwellian army, his family been one of the Tribes of Galway. He was educated in one of the secret schools in the city. In 1673 he began his studies for the priesthood in Louvain with the Augustinian order. Ordained there in...
(1652–1722), Irish controversialist - Febronius (1701–1790), historian and theologian
- Charles NerinckxCharles NerinckxRev. Charles Nerinckx was a Roman Catholic missionary priest who migrated from Belgium to work in Kentucky. He founded the Sisters of Loretto religious order.-Early life and education:...
(1761–1824), founder of the Sisters of LorettoSisters of LorettoSisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
See also
- Universities in LeuvenUniversities in LeuvenThe city of Leuven, in the former Duchy of Brabant was the seat of three universities and of a universitarian college:*1425: The University of Leuven or Studium Generale Lovaniense or Universitas Studiorum Lovaniensis, was founded by a French prince, Jean de Bourgogne, Duke John IV of Brabant,...
- Collegium TrilingueCollegium TrilingueThe Collegium Trilingue, often also called Collegium trium linguarum, or, after its creator Collegium Buslidianum , was founded in 1517 under the patronage of the Luxembourgian humanist, Jérôme de Busleyden .The College, in fact inspired by Erasmus who was a friend of...
- State University of LeuvenState University of LeuvenThe State University of Leuven a liberal, neutral and non-confessional university founded in 1817 in Leuven, Belgium, which was then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was not a continuation of the former Old University of Leuven, however, a dozen of professors of the Old University...
- Catholic University of MechlinCatholic University of MechlinThe Catholic University of Mechlin was a university that was founded in Mechelen , Belgium, on November 8, 1834 by the bishops of Belgium.The bishops aimed to create a university "to accommodate any doctrine from the Holy Apostolic See and to repudiate anything that does not flow from this august...
- Catholic University of LeuvenCatholic University of LeuvenThe Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
- Université catholique de LouvainUniversité catholique de LouvainThe Université catholique de Louvain, sometimes known, especially in Belgium, as UCL, is Belgium's largest French-speaking university. It is located in Louvain-la-Neuve and in Brussels...
- Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenKatholieke Universiteit LeuvenThe Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
- Louvain-la-NeuveLouvain-la-NeuveLouvain-la-Neuve is a planned city in the municipality of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, situated 30 km southeast of Brussels, in the French-speaking part of the country...
- Academic libraries in LeuvenAcademic libraries in LeuvenThe city of Leuven was not only the seat of three different Universities, but also through them, the seat of prestigious academic libraries.- The Library of the Old University of Leuven :...
- List of medieval universities