Emile Francqui
Encyclopedia
Emile Francqui was a Belgian soldier, diplomat and business man. Being an orphan, he was sent to the military school when he was 15 years old. When Emile Francqui was 21 years old he, like other young officers, was sent to Congo Free State
by king Leopold II of Belgium
.
In 1896, he became the Belgian consul in China
and stayed there until 1902. In China he met the later American president Herbert Hoover
during negotiations concerning the granting of the Hankow-Canton railroad concession in China in 1901. Although they were competitors, they respected each other very much.
Emile Francqui returned to Belgium in 1902, and started his financial career. He became the Managing Director of the "Banque d'Outremer", and Managing Director of the Union Minière du Haut Katanga
. Ten years after his return to Belgium, he became Director of the Société Générale de Belgique
, and in 1932 became Governor of the Société Générale. During World War I
he was President of the Belgian National Relief and Food Committee (Dutch: Nationaal Hulp en Voedingscomité, French: Comité National de Secours et d'Alimentation). During World War I, Herbert Hoover in the United States set up the Commission for Relief in Belgium
in this way supporting the Belgian National Relief and Food Committee.
After the war the remaining resources of the committee were decided to be used for the rebuilding of Belgium. Emile Francqui wanted to invest in the universities as a means for rebuilding the country. In 1920 the University Foundation
was founded by Emile Francqui. In addition the Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) was founded for the exchange of students between Belgium and the United States
. Emile Francqui was involved, with Félicien Cattier, in the establishment of the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS).
In April 1924, Emile Francqui participated in the creation of the Dawes Plan
to find a solution for the collection of the German reparations debt following World War I.
The later king Leopold III of Belgium
, asked Emile Francqui to take steps to improve the health of the population Belgian Congo. This leads to the foundation Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine
in 1931 of which he becomes the first President.
In 1932 Emile Francqui and Herbert Hoover
created the Francqui Foundation
for the support of basic research in Belgium.
Congo Free State
The Congo Free State was a large area in Central Africa which was privately controlled by Leopold II, King of the Belgians. Its origins lay in Leopold's attracting scientific, and humanitarian backing for a non-governmental organization, the Association internationale africaine...
by king Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II was the second king of the Belgians. Born in Brussels the second son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie of Orléans, he succeeded his father to the throne on 17 December 1865 and remained king until his death.Leopold is chiefly remembered as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free...
.
In 1896, he became the Belgian consul in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and stayed there until 1902. In China he met the later American president Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
during negotiations concerning the granting of the Hankow-Canton railroad concession in China in 1901. Although they were competitors, they respected each other very much.
Emile Francqui returned to Belgium in 1902, and started his financial career. He became the Managing Director of the "Banque d'Outremer", and Managing Director of the Union Minière du Haut Katanga
Union Minière du Haut Katanga
The Union Minière du Haut Katanga was a Belgian mining company, once operating in Katanga, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. Ten years after his return to Belgium, he became Director of the Société Générale de Belgique
Société Générale
Société Générale S.A. is a large European Bank and a major Financial Services company that has a substantial global presence. Its registered office is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, while its head office is in the Tours Société Générale in the business district of La...
, and in 1932 became Governor of the Société Générale. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he was President of the Belgian National Relief and Food Committee (Dutch: Nationaal Hulp en Voedingscomité, French: Comité National de Secours et d'Alimentation). During World War I, Herbert Hoover in the United States set up the Commission for Relief in Belgium
BAEF
The Belgian American Educational Foundation or BAEF is an independent philanthropy. It supports the exchange of university students, scientists and scholars between the United States and Belgium. The foundation fosters the higher education of deserving Belgians and Americans through its...
in this way supporting the Belgian National Relief and Food Committee.
After the war the remaining resources of the committee were decided to be used for the rebuilding of Belgium. Emile Francqui wanted to invest in the universities as a means for rebuilding the country. In 1920 the University Foundation
University Foundation
The Belgian University Foundation was founded in 1920. The goal of the Foundation, as was put forward by Emile Francqui, is to promote scientific activity at Belgian universities....
was founded by Emile Francqui. In addition the Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) was founded for the exchange of students between Belgium and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Emile Francqui was involved, with Félicien Cattier, in the establishment of the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS).
In April 1924, Emile Francqui participated in the creation of the Dawes Plan
Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan was an attempt in 1924, following World War I for the Triple Entente to collect war reparations debt from Germany...
to find a solution for the collection of the German reparations debt following World War I.
The later king Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
, asked Emile Francqui to take steps to improve the health of the population Belgian Congo. This leads to the foundation Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine
Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine
The Institute of Tropical Medicine , previously known as Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine is located in Antwerp, Belgium. The ITM is one of the world's leading institutes for training and research in tropical medicine and the organisation of health care in developing countries...
in 1931 of which he becomes the first President.
In 1932 Emile Francqui and Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
created the Francqui Foundation
Francqui Foundation
The Francqui Foundation was founded in 1932 by Emile Francqui and Herbert Hoover with the goal "to further the development of higher education and scientific research in Belgium". The foundation is a private foundation under the legal from of a Belgian "Institution of Public Utility"...
for the support of basic research in Belgium.