Alexandre Jamar


Alexandre Marie Auguste Jamar was a Belgian businessman, liberal politician and former governor of the National Bank of Belgium from 1882 until 1888. From 1868 to 1870, he was Minister of Public Works, in the government of Walthère Frère-Orban.

Career

Born in Brussels on 6 November 1821, Jamar started his career at the age of 17, when he became a partner in the family printing business of his brother. Later on he became a commissioner for the Banque de Belgique and had a seat on the first management board of the Caisse Générale d'Épargne et de Retraite and the Crédit Communal.
Jamar became a censor at the NBB in 1865 and a member of the discount committee of the NBB. In 1870 he became director of the NBB and in 1882 governor of the National Bank of Belgium. During his time in office he had to deal with the consequences of an economic depression. In addition he had to deal with problems within the Latin Monetary Union, caused by the refusal of Belgium to sign the new convention of 1885. His experience in the printing business resulted in better quality banknotes.
Jamar died in Brussels on 15 August 1888.