Harold Charles d'Aspremont Lynden


Harold René Charles Marie, comte d'Aspremont Lynden was a Belgian cabinet minister, politician of the PSC-CVP and Cavalry Lieutenant-Colonel. He is also notable as Belgium's last Minister of African Affairs, serving as such in Gaston Eyskens' third cabinet.

Life

He was born in 1914 to Count Charles d'Aspremont Lynden and Edith de Favereau. After studying classics at the abbey school at Maredsous from 1926 to 1931, he graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven as a doctor of law. He completed his military service as a reserve officer in the 13th Line Regiment at Namur before returning to Leuven to study social and political economics.
His studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War Two and the general mobilisation of Belgium in September 1939. After the fall of Belgium he joined the resistance, commanding Sector V in Zone V of the Secret Army. After the war he became a member of the town council and mayor of Natoye and senator for the province of Namur. He died in Natoye in 1967.

Honours