Jean Van Houtte, Belgian academic and politician, 50th Prime Minister of Belgium (d. 1991)
Jean (Jan) Marie Joseph, Baron Van Houtte (17 March 1907 – 23 May 1991) was a Belgian politician who served as Prime Minister of Belgium from 1952 to 1954.
Born in Ghent, van Houtte held a doctorate in law and lectured at Ghent University and the University of Liège. He served as chairman of the Belgian Institute of Public Finance and represented the PSC-CVP in the Belgian Senate from 1949 to 1968.
Having served as Minister of Finance in the governments of Jean Duvieusart (1950) and Joseph Pholien (1950–1952), van Houtte replaced Pholien to become the 38th Prime Minister of Belgium in January 1952. His period in office was marked by disputes over conscription, and in particular the length of service of conscripts, and over the treatment of collaborators, where van Houtte controversially favoured a mild approach. An economic recession added to his troubles.
Van Houtte again served as Minister of Finance from 1958 to 1961 under Gaston Eyskens. He was governor of the World Bank, named an honorary Minister of State in 1966, and made a Baron in 1970.
1907Mar, 17
Jean Van Houtte
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Events on 1907
- 23May
Parliament of Finland
The unicameral Parliament of Finland gathers for its first plenary session. - 22Jun
Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway
The London Underground's Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway opens. - 7Sep
RMS Lusitania
Cunard Line's RMS Lusitania sets sail on her maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to New York City. - 16Nov
RMS Mauretania (1906)
Cunard Line's RMS Mauretania, sister ship of RMS Lusitania, sets sail on her maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to New York City. - 31Dec
Times Square
The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square (then known as Longacre Square) in Manhattan.