Basile-Jean Risopoulos
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Basile-Jean Risopoulos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Belgian Senate | |
| In office 1968–1974 | |
| Member of the Chamber of Representatives | |
| In office 1977–1985 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 27, 1919 |
| Died | May 5, 1997 (aged 77) |
| Citizenship | Belgian |
| Party | Liberal Party Rassemblement bruxellois Francophone Democratic Federalists |
| Alma mater | Université libre de Bruxelles |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Basile-Jean Risopoulos, (27 October 1919 – 5 May 1997)[1] was a Belgian lawyer and politician who served in the Belgian senate from 1968 to 1974.[2]
Basile-Jean Risopoulos was born on 27 October 1919 in Schaerbeek to a modest family. His father was Greek and his mother was Belgian. His brother, Stéphane, became an Agricultural engineer after his studies at Gembloux. In 1954, Risopolous married Francine Willems, a Belgian lawyer. They had two children; Sylvie, who became Administrative Director at the French Community Commission, and André, a criminal lawyer.[2]
Basile-Jean Risopoulos studied at the official school on boulevard Clovis and at the Atheneum of Schaerbeek. Risopoulos attended the Université libre de Bruxelles, where he was a double major in history and law. It was here where he became interested in politics, joining the Liberal Party and becoming the president of the young liberals of Schaerbeek at age 19.[2]
From 1940 to 1942, Risopoulos became a secondary school teacher in history and geography at the Athénée de Saint-Gilles.[2]
During the Second World War, he received his diploma in history and his doctorate in law. He took the lawyer's oath, but did not immediately start his legal career.[2]
In 1942, Risopoulos entered the Secret Army before being arrested by German authorities. He spent seven months in Saint-Giles Prison before being sent to Merksplas where he escaped, becoming a fugitive.[2]
Toward the end of the war, Risopoulos traveled to Scotland where he received training to become a Commando in the British Army.[3] In 1945, he participated in the Baltic Offensive, and the liberation of several Nazi concentration camps.[2]
