12 Facts About Paul Eyschen

Paul Eyschen was a Luxembourgish politician, statesman, lawyer, and diplomat.

Paul Eyschen was the eighth and longest-serving prime minister of Luxembourg, serving for twenty-seven years, 1888 until his death in 1915.

The son of Charles-Gerard Eyschen, a former Director-General for Justice, Eyschen was born in Diekirch, in northern Luxembourg, on 9 September 1841.

Paul Eyschen became a lawyer after studying Law in Bonn and Paris.

Paul Eyschen was admitted to the bar on 9 November 1865.

At the elections of 12 June 1866, Paul Eyschen was elected to Chamber of Deputies, representing the canton of Wiltz.

On 7 July 1876, Paul Eyschen emulated his father by becoming Director-General for Justice, a position he held until 1888, when, upon the resignation of Edouard Thilges, Paul Eyschen was appointed Prime Minister.

Paul Eyschen advocated the idea of a specialisation of schools: the Athenee de Luxembourg for those intending to later pursue university studies, an industrial school for those destined for a technical occupation, an agriculture school for farmers' sons, and a craftwork school for the sons of craftsmen.

Paul Eyschen had been charge d'affaires in Berlin and had been friends with the Chancellor's son, and was well aware of this legislation.

Paul Eyschen was a great lover of the Luxembourgish language, which was then still regarded as a dialect, and was one of its earliest advocates.

Paul Eyschen died, whilst still in office, on 11 October 1915, one year into the German occupation during the First World War.

Paul Eyschen was succeeded by his long-term Director-General for Finances and ally, Mathias Mongenast.