Joris Helleputte
Belgian politician and architect (1852–1925)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joris or Georges Helleputte (1852–1925)[1]: 52 was a Belgian politician and Gothic Revival architect. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Public Works and Minister of Railways, Post and Telegraphs.
Early life and education
Helleputte was born to a Catholic family.[2]: 124 His father was Petrus Helleputte and his mother was Florentine Detemmerman.[3]
He graduated from Ghent University as a bridge and road engineer.[4]: 361
Architectural career
Helleputte became a professor of architecture at the Catholic University of Leuven,[5]: 160 teaching architects like Raymond Lemaire and Raphaël Verwilghen.[1]: 54 He collaborated on projects with Theodoor Van Dormael.[2]: 145
He founded the Leuven Guild of Craft and Commerce, co-founded the Boerenbond in 1890,[4]: 361 and helped found the Belgian Volksbond.[5]: 160 He was also a member of the Royal Commission for Monuments.[2]: 124
Political career
Helleputte represented Maaseik in the Chamber of Representatives from 1889 until 1924.[5]: 160 From 1901 until 1910, he was Minister of Railways, Post and Telegraphs.[4]: 361 He then became Minister of Agriculture and Public Works from 1910 until 1918.[4]: 361
He accompanied the Belgian government in exile to Le Havre in 1914.[6]: 107
Personal life
In 1882, Helleputte married Louise Schollaert, the sister of Prime Minister Frans Schollaert; they had no children.[6]: 107
Helleputte's sister, Rosalie, married the Belgian architect Louis Cloquet.[2]: 125