Léon Metz
Encyclopedia
Charles-Léon Metz was a Luxembourg
ian politician and industrialist. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies
for forty-three years (1875–1918), and served as Mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette from 1906 to 1909.
The son of Auguste Metz
and Petronille Laeis, he was a member of the prominent Metz family
, and he entered the family business of metallurgy. He was first elected to the communal council
of Esch-sur-Alzette
in 1873, and served for four years before becoming an échevin
on 16 January 1877. He was also elected to the national Chamber of Deputies
as a liberal on 14 October 1875, representing Esch-sur-Alzette
. Although a liberal, he was a traditionalist, a practising Catholic
, and had close ties to the religious establishment in Esch.
Metz was named Mayor of Esch on 22 October 1906, which was renewed on 28 December 1908. During his tenure as mayor, the most important decision was the commune
's purchase of the Forest of Esch, and its replacement with new steel mills, in the district of Belval
. Although Metz won re-election in the 1909 communal elections, he decided to resign on 28 November 1909, having served three years as mayor.
Metz lost in his bid to be reelected to the Chamber of Deputies in the 1918 election, and withdrew from public life. He died on 25 June 1928.
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 industrialist. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies
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....
for forty-three years (1875–1918), and served as Mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette from 1906 to 1909.
The son of Auguste Metz
Auguste Metz
Jean-Antoine Auguste Metz was a Luxembourgian entrepreneur, politician, and lawyer. He was a major player in the growing steel industry in Luxembourg during the nineteenth century, as well as a leading liberal member of the Chamber of Deputies, along with his brothers.Born in Luxembourg City as...
and Petronille Laeis, he was a member of the prominent Metz family
Metz family
The Metz family is a family in Luxembourg that was prominent in politics and industry in the mid- and late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The head of the household was Jean Metz, who had nine children...
, and he entered the family business of metallurgy. He was first elected to the communal council
Esch-sur-Alzette communal council
Esch-sur-Alzette communal council is the local council for the commune of Esch-sur-Alzette, in south-western Luxembourg.It consists of nineteen members, elected every six years by proportional representation. The last elections were held on 9 October 2005, and resulted in a victory for the...
of Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people...
in 1873, and served for four years before becoming an échevin
Échevin (Luxembourg)
An échevin is a member of the administration of a Luxembourgian commune. Together, they form the collège échevinal , which helps the mayor run the administration...
on 16 January 1877. He was also elected to the national Chamber of Deputies
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....
as a liberal on 14 October 1875, representing Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette (canton)
Esch-sur-Alzette is a canton in the south-west of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg District. The capital is Esch-sur-Alzette.The canton consists of the following 14 communes:*Bettembourg*Differdange*Dudelange*Esch-sur-Alzette*Frisange*Kayl*Leudelange...
. Although a liberal, he was a traditionalist, a practising Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, and had close ties to the religious establishment in Esch.
Metz was named Mayor of Esch on 22 October 1906, which was renewed on 28 December 1908. During his tenure as mayor, the most important decision was the commune
Communes of Luxembourg
The communes of Luxembourg are the lowest nation-wide administrative division in Luxembourg. They conform to LAU level 2.Within the hierarchy of administrative subdivisions, communes come directly below cantons, which are directly below districts. Communes are often re-arranged, being merged or...
's purchase of the Forest of Esch, and its replacement with new steel mills, in the district of Belval
Belval
Belval may refer to:* Belval, Luxembourg, a neighbourhood of Esch-sur-Alzette, in south-western LuxembourgOr one of several communes in France:* Belval, Ardennes, in the Ardennes département* Belval, Manche, in the Manche département...
. Although Metz won re-election in the 1909 communal elections, he decided to resign on 28 November 1909, having served three years as mayor.
Metz lost in his bid to be reelected to the Chamber of Deputies in the 1918 election, and withdrew from public life. He died on 25 June 1928.
Decorations
Metz was awarded a number of decorations:- Commander, Order of the Oak CrownOrder of the Oak CrownThe Order of the Oak Crown is an Order of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.-History:The Order of the Oak Crown was instituted by the Grand Duke-King William II, in 1841...
(Luxembourg) - Commander, Order of Adolphe of Nassau (Luxembourg)
- Commander, Order of the CrownOrder of the Crown (Belgium)The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts...
(Belgium) - Commander, Order of the CrownOrder of the Crown of ItalyThe Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
(Italy) - Knight (1st class), Order of the White FalconOrder of the White FalconOrder of the White Falcon is a grand-ducal order of Weimar, founded by Duke Ernest Augustus in 1732, and renewed in 1815 by Charles Augustus.-Description:In the early 20th century it had four classes and a silver cross, added in 1878...
(Saxe-Weimar-EisenachSaxe-Weimar-EisenachThe Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach was created in 1809 by the merger of the Ernestine duchies of Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach. It was raised to a Grand duchy in 1815 by resolution of the Vienna Congress. In 1877, it officially changed its name to the Grand Duchy of Saxony , but this name was...
)