Université libre de Bruxelles

Whose ‘free spirit’ echoes through these halls? It’s the Universit\u00e9 libre de Bruxelles, or ULB, a beacon of independent thought since 1834. Right here, on this very spot, the seeds of a revolutionary idea were sown. Belgium, freshly independent, had universities in Ghent, Leuven, and Liege. But Brussels, the new capital, had none. A group of intellectuals, including Auguste Baron and Adolphe Quetelet, dreamed of a university free from state and church control. This dream took root within the freemasonic lodge, “Les Amis Philantropes”. Pierre-Th\u00e9odore Verhaegen, the lodge’s president, became the champion of this vision. In 1834, he launched an appeal for funds, gathering support from liberal circles and masonic lodges across Belgium. The Universit\u00e9 libre de Bruxelles was born, fueled by the ideals of the Enlightenment, dedicated to conquering darkness through science. Initially called the “Free University of Belgium”, ULB opened its doors with 38 professors and just 96 students. It offered courses in philosophy and letters, law, science, and medicine. The university faced immense challenges in its early years. It relied heavily on donations and tuition fees, as it received no government funding. The Catholic Church viewed this independent institution with suspicion, and the Catholic press launched attacks against its teachings. Verhaegen, however, stood firm, declaring that ULB would embody freedom within education itself. The Universit\u00e9 libre de Bruxelles continued to grow, moving to the Granvelle Palace in 1842. It expanded its curriculum and, notably, began admitting women to some faculties in 1880, a pioneering move in Belgium. The university’s journey has not been without its internal struggles. Disagreements over academic freedom, notably the “Reclus Affair” in 1893, led to a temporary split. The university also persevered through two World Wars, even closing its doors rather than compromising its principles under German occupation. The ULB split along linguistic lines in 1969, giving birth to the separate French-speaking ULB and Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Today, the Universit\u00e9 libre de Bruxelles remains a vibrant center of learning and research, with campuses across Brussels and Charleroi. Its commitment to free inquiry, established by Pierre-Th\u00e9odore Verhaegen, continues to inspire students and faculty alike, proving that even amidst the bustling city, a free spirit can thrive.