Pierre-Joseph Destriveaux
Pierre-Joseph Destriveaux, a professor of criminal law, was politically committed to liberalism, which earned him a few problems. It was during his rectorship, in 1823-1824, that the Salle Academique, designed by city architect Jean-Noël Chevron, was inaugurated. He was Rector again in 1845-1846.
Born in Liège in 1780, Pierre-Joseph Destriveaux began his legal training with the Liège lawyer Harzé, before obtaining a law degree in Paris in 1806. As a lawyer at the Liège Court of Appeal, he earned a reputation as a brilliant orator during successful trials. He also excelled in circles frequented by French lawyers who had taken refuge in Liège, and contributed to the liberal leaflets of the Mercure des Pays-Bas and the Mercure surveillant. As early as 1815, he campaigned for the establishment of a university in Liège. He was appointed professor of modern criminal law and civil procedure as soon as it was created. He then abandoned the procedural course, devoting himself exclusively to teaching internal and external public law.
Leur conduite [des étudiants] a été tellement parfaite qu’aucun d’eux n’a été l’objet d’une simple admonition ; au milieu de tant de calme et de régularité, je pouvais oublier facilement que j’avais sur eux quelque autorité.
Read this speech in full (PDF facsimile)
As early as 1829, his lectures were an opportunity for him to express his opposition to the Dutch regime. Later, in trouble with the Belgian government for his liberal views, he was kept away from the University for three years, before being given a course in political history in 1841. He was granted emeritus status in 1847, having served twice as rector in 1823-1824 (inauguration of the academic hall) and 1845-1846.
His works include Essai sur le Codepénal (1818) and Traité de droit public (1849-1851). A member of the Provincial Council, which he chaired from 1840 to 1847, he was then elected to the Chamber, where he remained until his death in 1853. Concerned with social justice, Destriveaux also distinguished himself as an active member of several philanthropic societies.
Ne perdons pas de vue que les institutions sont la mise en œuvre des principes et que les hommes donnent la vie aux institutions… plus nos institutions sont grandes et précieuses, plus nous devons veiller à leur conservation, mieux, nous devons les défendre contre les attaques de violence, d’astuces ou de fraude.
Discours sur la tendance actuelle de la civilisation et sur les grandes révolutions, Annales des universités de Belgique, Bruxelles, Th. Lesigne, 1850, p. 865
