Henri La Fontaine Biography

Henri La Fontaine, a prominent figure in the 20th century pacifist movement, dedicated his life to promoting peace and advocating for social justice. As the first socialist to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, La Fontaine’s impact extended beyond his native Brussels. With a background in law, he tirelessly fought for women’s rights, equality, and universal franchise. Recognized as an authority in international law, he shared his knowledge as a professor for nearly five decades and established various organizations to foster international cooperation. La Fontaine’s passion for social change led him to politics, where he served in the Belgian senate and played key roles as its secretary and vice chairman. However, his most significant contribution lies in his tireless efforts for international peace. For over three decades, he presided over the International Peace Bureau, actively participating in the Paris Peace Conference and the League of Nations Assembly. Although he advocated for the establishment of an international court of justice, La Fontaine passed away before witnessing his dream become a reality.

Quick Facts

  • Died At Age: 89
  • Born Country: Belgium
  • Nobel Peace Prize
  • Political Leaders
  • Died on: May 14, 1943
  • Place of death: Brussels, Belgium
  • Notable Alumni: Université Libre De Bruxelles
  • Education: Université Libre de Bruxelles
  • Awards: Nobel Peace Prize

Childhood & Early Years

Henry Marie La Fontaine was born on 22 April 1854, in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, into a comfortable middle-class family. Both his parents, Alfred La Fontaine and Marie-Louise Philips, were progressive thinkers, while his younger sister, Léonie La Fontaine, was a well-known pacifist and women’s right activist. Nothing is known about his educational background except that he studied law at the Université libre de Bruxelles, an institution aimed at developing free thinking. During this period, he became passionate about international law, regarding it as the best possible way to bring about global peace.

Early Career

In 1877, Henri La Fontaine graduated from law school and registered as counsel with the Brussels Court of Appeal and quickly became one of Belgium’s leading jurists. Concurrently, he began to work towards promoting equality and was appointed secretary of a technical school for young women in 1878. Sometime in the early 1880s, he met British pacifist Hodgson Pratt and became involved with the International Peace Bureau. Simultaneously, he began writing, publishing Les droits et des obligations des entrepreneurs de travaux publics, a legal handbook on the rights and duties of contractors, in 1885 and Traité de la contrefaçon in 1888. In 1889, he co-founded and became the secretary-general of Société belge de l’arbitrage et de la paix, the Belgium chapter of the International Association for Arbitration and Peace. Thereafter, he started participating in almost all peace congresses, meanwhile co-founding with his sister the Belgian League for the Rights of Women in 1890. In 1893, he began teaching at the Université libre de Bruxelles as a professor of international law, continuing to hold the chair till 1940. However, his interest in social reforms soon led him into politics, and very soon he was writing for the socialist movement, publishing Manuel des lois de la paix: Code de l’arbitrage in 1894.

Political Career & Peace Movement

In 1895, Henri La Fontaine co-founded the Institut International de Bibliographie with fellow lawyer Paul Otlet, with a mission to standardize bibliographic methods, remaining involved with its activities to the very end. In 1905, their work on the Dewey Decimal Classification led to an early edition of the Universal Decimal Classification. Also in 1895, he entered the Belgian Senate as a member of the Socialist Party, representing Hainaut till 1898. Active from the very beginning, he was elected to attend the conference of the Interparliamentary Union soon after entering the Senate. Also in 1895, he introduced a Bill on primary education, submitting another on mine inspection in 1897. Concurrently, he continued to work with the International Peace Bureau, helping to bring about The Hague Peace Conferences of 1899. In 1900, he was elected from Liège, representing the constituency till 1932, serving as the Secretary of the Senate from 1907 to 1919 and as its Vice Chairman from 1919 to 1932. Continuing to write, he published Pasicrisie international in 1902 and Bibliographie de la Paix et de l’Arbitrage in 1904. Equally active in the peace movement, he succeeded Fredrik Bajer as president of the International Peace Bureau in 1907, remaining its titular head till his death. Also in the same year, he helped to organize a second The Hague Peace Conferences.

After First World War

At the end of the First World War in 1919, Henri La Fontaine attended the Paris Peace Conference as a member of the Belgian delegation and was appointed to the post of technical advisor. In this conference, the decision to set up the League of Nations was taken. In 1920 and 1921, he attended the League of Nations Assembly as a Belgian delegate, speaking on important issues. However, he was soon sidelined due to a difference of opinion with major powers. Equally concerned about intellectual activities, he had earlier established the Centre Intellectuel Mondial. When the League of Nations Institute for Intellectual Co-operation began operating in 1922, the organization was merged into it. Concurrently, while working for international peace, he remained equally dedicated to national welfare, showing an abiding interest in education, labor, and foreign affairs, supporting the adoption of the eight-hour day and forty-hour week in 1926. Moreover, he also spoke regularly on all important issues regarding foreign affairs.

Major Works

Although Henri La Fontaine successfully worked in various fields, he is best known for his contribution to world peace. President of the International Peace Bureau from 1907 to 1943, he believed that peace could only be guaranteed through the codification of international law and the establishment of an International Court of Justice.

Awards & Achievements

In 1913, Henri La Fontaine received the Nobel Peace Prize “for his unparalleled contribution to the organization of peaceful internationalism.”

Death & Legacy

Henri La Fontaine died on 14 May 1943, in Brussels, Belgium. The Henri La Fontaine Foundation, created in his honor, continues to carry on his legacy, rewarding individuals and organizations who work for peace, free thinking, feminism, and social justice with the Henri La Fontaine International Prize for Humanism.

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