Xavier Brasseur
Encyclopedia
François Xavier Brasseur (19 October 1865 – 4 July 1912) was a Luxembourg
ian politician and jurist.
Brasseur was educated at the Athénée de Luxembourg
, graduating in 1884. Afterwards, he studied law, graduating on 17 June 1890, and began practising in 1894. He worked for his uncle Alexis's steelworks as legal counsel. On 5 January 1897, Brasseur stood as the liberal candidate against the socialist Michel Welter
in partial elections in Esch-sur-Alzette.
After the Socialist Party was founded in 1902, Brasseur joined them, and stood in the elections of 7 April 1902 in Esch as a 'democratic' candidate, being elected to the Chamber
(along with Welter and three other Socialist candidates). Brasseur consistently introduced legislation expanding Esch's prestige in the country, including the creation of a new district tribunal in Esch (along with those in Luxembourg City and Diekirch
) and the creation of an industrial school
in the town; both were defeated. More successful was his effort to create a tram
way in Esch, which was passed, but only after his death. In 1908, the Socialists and the Liberal League
formed their famous 'Left Bloc' , and Brasseur was returned as a deputy
again, with seven other socialists.
His political involvement wasn't limited to Esch. Brasseur, as one of the most prominent socialists in the country, was appointed to run for, and was elected to, the communal council
of Luxembourg City, along with Jean-Pierre Probst and Luc Housse
, in 1904. Despite his commitment to Esch's development and his attack on the succession of Marie-Adélaïde to the grand duchy
, Brasseur's main political preoccupation was with the introduction of universal suffrage
and the promotion of education for girls. In this, he was influenced by his wife, Jeanne de Saint-Hubert (sister of Aline Mayrisch de Saint-Hubert
), whom he had married on 25 May 1893 and divorced on 17 December 1910.
Xavier was a member of the prominent Brasseur family
. His father, Pierre
, was a famous industrialist. His uncle, Dominique
, was a deputy
(1866 – 99) and mayor of Luxembourg City (1891 – 94). Dominique's son, and Xavier's cousin, Robert
, was a Liberal
deputy and member of Luxembourg City's council at the same time as Xavier (and until 1925). In 1914, Robert married Jeanne, whom the late Xavier had divorced four years previously.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
ian politician and jurist.
Brasseur was educated at the Athénée de Luxembourg
Athénée de Luxembourg
The Athénée de Luxembourg , is a high school in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It's commonly called Stater Kolléisch or De Kolléisch, and is the nation's oldest high school.-Brief history:...
, graduating in 1884. Afterwards, he studied law, graduating on 17 June 1890, and began practising in 1894. He worked for his uncle Alexis's steelworks as legal counsel. On 5 January 1897, Brasseur stood as the liberal candidate against the socialist Michel Welter
Michel Welter
Dr. Michel Welter was a Luxembourgian politician, and former leader of the Socialist Party. A member of Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies, he served as the Director-General for Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry from 24 February 1916 until 3 January 1917, during the German occupation.He was one...
in partial elections in Esch-sur-Alzette.
After the Socialist Party was founded in 1902, Brasseur joined them, and stood in the elections of 7 April 1902 in Esch as a 'democratic' candidate, being elected to the Chamber
Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
(along with Welter and three other Socialist candidates). Brasseur consistently introduced legislation expanding Esch's prestige in the country, including the creation of a new district tribunal in Esch (along with those in Luxembourg City and Diekirch
Diekirch
Diekirch is a commune with city status in north-eastern Luxembourg, capital city of the canton Diekirch and the district of Diekirch. The city is situated on the banks of the Sauer river....
) and the creation of an industrial school
Industrial school
In Ireland the Industrial Schools Act of 1868 established industrial schools to care for "neglected, orphaned and abandoned children". By 1884 there were 5,049 children in such institutions....
in the town; both were defeated. More successful was his effort to create a tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
way in Esch, which was passed, but only after his death. In 1908, the Socialists and the Liberal League
Liberal League (Luxembourg)
The Liberal League was a political party in Luxembourg between 1904 and 1925. It was the indirect predecessor of the Democratic Party , which has been one of the three major parties in Luxembourg since the Second World War....
formed their famous 'Left Bloc' , and Brasseur was returned as a deputy
Deputy (legislator)
A deputy is a legislator in many countries, particularly those with legislatures styled as a 'Chamber of Deputies' or 'National Assembly'.-List of countries:This is an list of countries using the term 'deputy' or one of its cognates....
again, with seven other socialists.
His political involvement wasn't limited to Esch. Brasseur, as one of the most prominent socialists in the country, was appointed to run for, and was elected to, the communal council
Luxembourg communal council
Luxembourg communal council is the local council for the commune of Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.It consists of twenty-seven members, elected every six years by proportional representation. The last elections were held on 9 October 2005, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic Party...
of Luxembourg City, along with Jean-Pierre Probst and Luc Housse
Luc Housse
Jean-Pierre Lucas Housse , known as Luc Housse, was a Luxembourgian politician that served as Mayor of Luxembourg City between 1918 and 1920...
, in 1904. Despite his commitment to Esch's development and his attack on the succession of Marie-Adélaïde to the grand duchy
Grand Duke of Luxembourg
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg is the sovereign monarch and head of state of Luxembourg. Luxembourg has been a grand duchy since 15 March 1815, when it was elevated from a duchy when placed in personal union with the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, Brasseur's main political preoccupation was with the introduction of universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
and the promotion of education for girls. In this, he was influenced by his wife, Jeanne de Saint-Hubert (sister of Aline Mayrisch de Saint-Hubert
Aline Mayrisch de Saint-Hubert
Aline Mayrisch de Saint-Hubert , née Aline de Saint-Hubert, was a Luxembourgian women's rights campaigner, socialite, philanthropist. Mayrisch established many non-governmental organisations, and was President of the Luxembourg Red Cross...
), whom he had married on 25 May 1893 and divorced on 17 December 1910.
Xavier was a member of the prominent Brasseur family
Brasseur family
The Brasseur family is a family in Luxembourg that was prominent in politics and industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The head of the household was Alexis Brasseur, who had thirteen children by two wives...
. His father, Pierre
Pierre Brasseur (Luxembourg)
Pierre Brasseur was a Luxembourgian entrepreneur, businessman, and mining magnate, being involved in founding a number of industrial concerns in southern Luxembourg...
, was a famous industrialist. His uncle, Dominique
Dominique Brasseur
Dominique Alexis Brasseur-Brasseur was a Luxembourgian politician and jurist. He served as Mayor of Luxembourg City between 1891 and 1894....
, was a deputy
Deputy (legislator)
A deputy is a legislator in many countries, particularly those with legislatures styled as a 'Chamber of Deputies' or 'National Assembly'.-List of countries:This is an list of countries using the term 'deputy' or one of its cognates....
(1866 – 99) and mayor of Luxembourg City (1891 – 94). Dominique's son, and Xavier's cousin, Robert
Robert Brasseur
Robert Brasseur was a Luxembourgian politician, jurist, and journalist.Brasseur was educated at the Athénée de Luxembourg, before studying law at University of Strasbourg and in Paris. While in Paris, he became a bibliophile, starting a library to which he would continue to contribute over the...
, was a Liberal
Liberal League (Luxembourg)
The Liberal League was a political party in Luxembourg between 1904 and 1925. It was the indirect predecessor of the Democratic Party , which has been one of the three major parties in Luxembourg since the Second World War....
deputy and member of Luxembourg City's council at the same time as Xavier (and until 1925). In 1914, Robert married Jeanne, whom the late Xavier had divorced four years previously.