Famous Scholars at the University of Liège

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André Dumont is probably the only geologist to this day whose work has been the source of inspiration for poets all over the world. A self-taught man, he first gained renown at the age of 21 with the publication of his geological description of the province of Liège, in which he showed the importance of the folding in the layout of rock formations in southern Belgium. In 1834, he informed the Academy of his intention to draw a geologic map of Belgium.

He dedicated thirteen years of his life to this project and drew up 21,000 geologic surveys, ultimately determining the layout of the main geologic units in Belgium. For decades, the resulting maps were used as models of their kind, making Belgium one of the few countries to possess elaborate knowledge of its soil and subsoil. While conducting this research, Professor Dumont obtained his Ph.D in science before teaching geology and mineralogy at the University.

Théodore Schwann, who created a highly influential movement in biological research from which current biotechnologies are derived, taught at the University in 1848.

Born in what is now called Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Schwann studied at the Gymnasium of Cologne before attending the University of Bonn, where he studied natural sciences and medicine. One of his professors was Johann Müller, a pioneer of experimental methods in compared anatomy and physiology. He rejoined his teacher in Berlin in 1833 and presented his Ph.D thesis on the importance of oxygen in the development of embryos in chickens.

In October 1835, he discovered a new substance called pepsin. Scientists already knew that gastric sugar existed and that it contained acid. Schwann determined that pepsin interacted with the acid in a fermentation process involved in the digestion of proteins. In 1836, he studied the phenomena of alcohol and putrefaction fermentation and proved, before Pasteur, that putrefaction was due to the development of microorganisms and that heating the air destroyed their germs. He also discovered the live nature of yeast and the part it plays in the fermentation of alcohol.

In 1838-1839, Schwann formulated his cellular theory in Mikroskopische Untersuchungen (Microscopic Research). He showed how living beings – animals or plants –are made up of a cluster of differentiated cells coming from an initial cell, the egg: « Cellular origin is common to every living being». The unity of the living being having been established, the study of general biology was thereby made possible.

Schwann first taught in Belgium at the University of Leuven (1839) before taking up a position at the University of Liège in December 1848. He took a fundamental experimental approach in his teaching and research. He set up a state-of-the-art laboratory where his inventions were many. In close conjunction with Liege's industrial environment, he turned to applied research. Together with Marcellis and Jaspar, he invented the air flow pump which would be used in the mining industry. In 1876 and 1878, after many years of research on the physiology of breathing and the absorption of carbon dioxide, he designed a breathing apparatus which would be employed primarily by rescue teams called on to rescue miners trapped in environments where the air was unbreathable.

A native of Bruges, Emile de Laveleye went to high school in Paris, then studied philosophy in Leuven and law in Ghent. In 1864, he was given a chair in political economics at the University of Liège. He published several studies on Belgian political parties. He corresponded regularly with British Prime Minister Gladstone and even inspired some of his writings. In his letters, he constantly advocated the neutrality of Belgium and a peaceful solution to the problems facing Europe. In 1873, he published an important work entitled « Des causes actuelles de la guerre en Europe et de l'arbitrage » (On the Existing Reasons for War in Europe and Arbitration). In the foreword, he underlines the extent of the power of public opinion and expresses his fear that Europe could turn into a battlefield by the end of the century. He missed the mark by only a few years.

Zoologist Edouard Van Beneden's main contribution was to shed light on the mechanisms involved in cell division and egg fertilization by the sperm. He showed that the virgin egg is a living cell detached from the maternal organism and made capable of multiplication through fertilization.

He was appointed professor in 1874 and taught compared zoology, anatomy, physiology and finally embryology. In a famous study published in the Archives de Biologie in 1883-84, Van Beneden explained the phenomenon of meiosis, the reduction of chromosomes in sexual cells and the role of the nucleus in the fertilization process, as it occurs in the reproductive cells of ascaris, a parasite worm found in the intestine of horses.

Work began on the construction of the Institute of Zoology in 1885, and Van Beneden was responsible for designing its program. His influence continues to be deeply felt in Liège, in part due to the creation of the school of compared and experimental embryology located on the street that still bears his name.

Born in the province of Luxemburg near the border, Godefroid Kurth spoke German until the age of eight. He received his education in French, graduating from the Ecole normale des Humanités de Liège (Teacher Training College) in 1868. After serving as French teacher at the Athénée de Liège from 1869 until 1872, he succeeded Adolphe Borgnet as Chair of Medieval History and History of Belgium before he obtained a Ph.D. in historical sciences in 1873. While Germany had been offering more practical courses for some time, the teaching of history in Belgium remained essentially theoretical. Godefroid Kurth was the first to offer a history course at the University of Liège. This revolutionary shift was soon espoused by other universities. In 1906, Kurth left his teaching position and was appointed to the Belgian Institute of History in Rome.

His scientific reputation was established in 1886 with the publication of his first great work « Les Origines de la civilisation moderne » (The Origins of Modern Civilization), in which he developed a hypothesis which would recur throughout his work : civilization and Christianity are inseparable. An expert on the history of Liège, he attributed the creation of the baptismal font to Regnier of Huy and wrote a memoir on the origins of the city of Liège, a work on Notger and three volumes on Liège during the Middle Ages. A proven trade unionist, Kurth cautioned against linguistic quarrels which could have devasting consequences. He brought together all his ideas on Belgium in « La Nationalité belge» (The Belgian Nationality)

Walthère Spring, a native of Liège, took courses taught by Kékulé and Clausius in Bonn. He taught organic chemistry in Liège in 1877 and mineral chemistry in 1880. Convinced as he was that engineers needed solid basic science training, he helped set up a technical faculty (in 1893), which would deliver the degree of chemical engineer. An inveterate mountain climber, he was also a wonderful teacher whose lectures attracted large numbers. As reported by Paul Dresse, he would always end his lectures with the same statement : « And always keep in mind atoms are indivisible! » Sensing that the still fledgling science of chemistry would play an important role in the economy, he dedicated the remaining years of his life to the foundation of the Institute of Chemistry, which would house several state-of-the-art laboratories. Describing the Institute of General Chemistry which would bear his name, he wrote with terrifying foresight:

« The essence of our industrial activity has until now been our mining resources,which are the source of our fortune and the reason why there are so many factories and metallurgical companies in our area. Well, these treasures from our soil will soon run out. Our metallurgical mines have already been exhausted; a number of our coal mines have closed down and it is becoming increasingly difficult to exploit those that are still open as we are forced to dig deeper and deeper. Coal from abroad is now competing with coal mined locally. We must accept the fact that if our nation does not look for new resources in the not too distant future, it will leave itself open to a severe reversal of fortune. These new resources will not be found until a wisely thought for development of the chemical and mechanical disciplines is set up.»

Léon Frédéricq was born in Ghent in 1851. He was appointed professor at the University of Liège in 1879 and given the chair of physiology previously held by Théodore Schwann.

After finishing his studies in Ghent, he met with scientists throughout Europe in an attempt to further the development of experimental physiology. He returned from these encounters with a solid experimental method and the conviction that the living world was a intrinsic part of physics and chemistry. His reading of Darwin led him to study basic biological mechanisms in marine animals and to the discovery of reflex amputation or autonomy in crabs. He also ascertained that octopus blood contained hemocyanin, a substance which turns blue when in contact with air and which acts as hemoglobin in vertebrates. He extended his research to the physiology of circulation and breathing, and used his findings on the equilibrium of the internal environment as a starting point for an investigation into the key concept of regulation.

The Institute of Physiology, the building of which he helped oversee from 1885 until 1888, soon attained international renown, which in turn fostered increasing collaboration with foreign universities. International physiology congresses were inaugurated so that physiologists – Europeans in particular – could meet and discuss experimental demonstrations: The first congress – which Frédéricq attended – took place in Basel in 1888. Three years later, he welcomed 102 physiologists to Liège as President of the Congress.

The publication of his didactic works, in particular the elements of physiology he wrote in collaboration with Nuel (seven issues), was very well received abroad. He also created the Archives internationales de physiologie (the International Archives of Physiology) in collaboration with Paul Héger, an associate from the University of Brussels. Its European perspective was apparent from its first issue in 1904. The Archives was the only journal at that time written in French solely dedicated to physiology. A renowned watercolourist, Frédéricq painted throughout his lifetime. He found artistic inspiration in the landscape of the Fagnes, but also understood the scientific interest of this special environment. He was among the founders of the University Scientific Station of the Hautes Fagnes (at Mont Rigi) in 1924.

Internationally known as the Father of the Walloon School of Romance Philology, Maurice Wilmotte was a brilliant student at the University of Liège and also studied in Paris and in Germany. Founder of the journal Le Moyen Age (The Middle Ages), he taught French at the Ecole normale (teacher's college) and Romance Philology at the University of Liège for five years before being appointed professor. He subsequently inaugurated the Department of Romance Languages and Literature. Founder of the Revue wallonne, his ambition was to promote all aspects of Walloon culture. He was also the founder of a publishing house called La Renaissance du livre (l923).

The Cointe Observatory became famous worldwide thanks to Polydore Swings. Following stays in Warsaw and Chicago, Swings was convinced that astrophysics could only benefit from the progress made in molecular spectroscopy, which he was responsible for introducing at the Cointe Institute of Astrophysics. Rosenfeld initially collaborated on this project, with Boris Rosen joining them in 1933. After spending the war years in the United States, he proceeded to reorganize the laboratory in 1948. The Liège group of astrophysicists, comprised of Swings, Marcel Migeotte and Paul Ledoux among others, enjoyed a first-rate reputation. Beginning in 1949, Swings organized the Liège international astrophysics symposium . Liège opened a laboratory of solar spectrography at the International Scientific Station of Jungfraujoch (Switzerland) and installed a telescope at the observatory of Haute-Provence.

Space research in Europe began in the 1960s with the creation of the ESRO (the European Space Research Organization). Swings joined forces with H.E. Butler, an astronomical scientist from Edinburgh, to build a satellite which would carry a telescope that would do a complete ultraviolet sky survey. This satellite (TD1) was launched in 1972. Swings became President of the Union astronomique internationale (the International Astronomical Union) and to this day is the only Belgian to have occupied this most prestigious position.

Paul Ledoux worked first with Polydor Swings, then went to the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics in Oslo to deepen his knowledge. Unable to come back to Belgium because of World War II, he spent some time in Stockholm before going to the Yerkes Observatory in Chicago to work with Nobel Prize winner Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. His works address the stability of stars; indeed, he formulated some of the first steps in the theory of the evolution of stars, imagining a theoretical convective core model that became progressively poorer in hydrogen. A group of brilliant theoreticians soon joined him, bringing significant contributions to the problems related to the internal structure, evolution and stability of stars.

Jean-Marie Ghuysen graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1947. After receiving his Ph.D in chemistry in 1951, he was recruited by Professor Maurice Welsh to work at the newly founded Department of Microbiology at the University of Liège. At that time, the discovery of penicillin and the concept of antibiosis were radically altering medical practice. After years of hard work, the young chemist was successful in separating a series of agents having the astounding capacity to dissolve living bacteria from actinomycetin (a complex secreting an organism present in all soils). On the basis of his observations, he elucidated, step by step, the chemical structure of the bacterial wall.

A decisive moment in international research occurred in 1961 when Professor Ghuysen proved that the rigid matrix of the bacterial wall consisted of a polymer unknown until then, which he called peptidoglycan. A single, very large molecule, contained the near-totality of the bacteria genus, and was formed of carbohydrates and amino acids unique in the living world and threaded together in a very complex way.

In 1969, Professor Ghuysen was offered the newly created Chair of Microbiology applied to the pharmaceutical sciences. He thereafter embarked on a wide-scale, extended project which would bring together specialists from Liège, Belgium and abroad. The purpose of this study was to achieve an understanding, at the most fundamental level, of the structure and catalytic mechanism of the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of peptidoglycan.

The interest of this research to the entire international scientific community was evidenced by the attribution of several important awards to Professor Ghuysen, including the Gairdner Foundation's International Award in Medical Science (1989), UNESCO's Carlos J. Finley Award in Microbiology (1991), and the Albert Einstein World Award in Science presented in 1997 by the Conseil Culturel Mondial (World Cultural Council). In addition, Jean-Marie Ghuysen is the first non-American scientist to have received the Bristol-Myers-Squibb Award (2001).

Since 1990, the team put together by Professor Ghuysen has been working at the Center for Protein Engineering, where emphasis is placed on a pluridisciplinary approach and large-scale projects.