Blohausen, Felix de

Felix de Blohausen was born into the family of Baron Frederic Georges Prosper de Blochausen ( Fr. Frédéric Georges Prosper Baron de Blochausen ). The father of the future prime minister was married to a representative of an aristocratic family - the youngest daughter of Baron Anetan de la Trapperi, Henrietta-Victorina ^{[3] [4]} . Felix was the only child in the family ^[5] .

Baron Frederick served as the managing director of the Grand Duchy and served as state chancellor under Willem II . He had the court rank of chamberlain ^{[4] [6]} .

Felix de Blohausen married Baroness Justine Charlotte-Estelle de Lubbville. The couple lived in Birtrange Castle ( Shiren commune) ^[7] .

From December 14, 1866 [to June 18, 1867 and from June 18, 1867] to December 3, 1867, he served as Minister of the Interior in the government of Baron Victor de Tornaco ^[8] .

In December 1874, after the resignation of Emmanuel Servet, de Blohausen was entrusted with the formation of a new cabinet ^[9] . The Baron, like both of his predecessors (de Tornaco and Cervais), combined the duties of the Prime Minister and the head of the Foreign Ministry ^[10] . In the period from April to July 1876 he headed the Department of Justice. In September-October 1882, he served as Minister of Finance ^[1] .

Foreign Policy

Despite the “takeover” of the Customs Union by the German Empire , the economic ties between Luxembourg and Germany were further strengthened. However, representatives of the Grand Duchy did not participate in the work of the allied bodies. The country did not have its vote in the development and adoption of common customs legislation ^[11] .

Blauhausen turned to Willem III with a proposal for the German government, which provided for the participation of the representative of Luxembourg in the meetings of the Bundesrat , with an advisory vote on customs matters. Despite the interest shown by Germany, other powers that signed the London Treaty opposed such an intention, considering it contrary to the neutrality of the Grand Duchy ^[11] .

Domestic Policy

One of the tasks of the Blohausen government was the reform of criminal law, which has remained unchanged since Napoleonic times . Two models drew the attention of lawmakers: the Belgian Code of 1867 and the German Code of 1870. In favor of the first, Prince Henry (brother of Willem III) spoke in favor of the Minister of Justice of Luxembourg, Alfons Funk ^[11] .

In 1879, the Belgian Criminal Code (with some amendments) was adopted by the Grand Duchy ^[11] .

Thanks to the decisive actions of the Blohausen government, a universal six-year school education was introduced in the country, despite the resistance of the conservatives ^[11] .

Economy. Agriculture

Baron de Blohausen contributed to the construction of railways in Luxembourg. By 1880, the length of the railway network was about 180 km ^[12] .

Felix de Blohausen actively contributed to the rise of agriculture in the country. In order to develop meadow cultivation, he recruited a specialist from Germany, Johann Enzweiler ^{[13] [14]} .

The most important step on the path to reform in agriculture was the creation of an agricultural department; at the same time, a new agricultural school was founded in the central region of the country ^[2] .

Colorado Beetle Circular

Back in 1873, two articles were published in the Annals of the Luxembourg Society for Agriculture and Horticulture (French: Annales du Cercle Agricole et Horticole du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ) warning of the imminent migration of the Colorado potato beetle to Europe. The government has launched a public hazard warning campaign. The necessary bills have been developed ^[15] .

In May 1877, the Prime Minister sent a circular to the colleges of the municipal councils of Luxembourg on the threats associated with the migration of this species of insect. A copy of the color image of the beetle was attached to the document ^[15] .

• Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown ^{[16] [17]}
• Nassau Golden Lion Order of the Second Degree ^{[16] [17]}

• Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 (French)
• Thünen-Jahrbuch (German)