Adolphe Braas
The generous rector Léon Graulich, ill, will not be able to complete his third term. Adolphe Braas, founder of the School of Criminology, will replace him for a few months.
Chevalier Adolphe Braas was born in Verviers on June 24, 1889, into a family of jurists that spanned the entire 19th century. He obtained a doctorate in law from the University of Liège in 1911, and completed his legal training under the guidance of one of Liège's leading figures: Charles Magnette.
His career as a lawyer was well underway, but following the death of Professor Fernand Thiry, the chair of criminal law fell vacant, and Adolphe Braas seized the opportunity to embark on a brilliant academic career. In 1919, he became a lecturer, and his rise was rapid, becoming an extraordinary professor in 1920, and an ordinary professor in 1926. He taught criminal law, civil procedure and criminal investigation during a long career that left its mark on generations of students, both his own and those from other institutions, through the works and précis he authored in the subjects he taught, and which bear witness to his teaching talents. His output between 1923 and 1953 is impressive.
In parallel with his academic career, he was continuously involved in local politics, serving as local councillor of Celles from 1921 to 1970, a commune of which he was mayor between 1921 and 1932.
Adolphe Braas was a key figure in the development of criminology as a specific discipline at the University of Liège. In 1938, he founded the School of Criminology, over which he presided until his emeritus in 1954.
Twice dean of the Faculty of Law, he was rector of the University of Liège for a brief period in 1947, completing the term of office of the ailing Léon Graulich.
He lived on for a quarter of a century after his retirement, remaining attentive and available to academic and scientific activities, for which he regularly lent his support. He died on November 3, 1979, at the age of 90.
Photo : Adolphe Braas, excerpt from Liber Memorialis. The University of Liège from 1936 à 1966. Historical and biographical notes. Tome 1, Liège, 1967, p. 16-17 (hors texte).
