Our Founder
Canon Constant Guillaume van Crombrugghe (1789 - 1865) lived during a time of great upheaval in Western Europe in what is now Belgium. He was born and baptised in Grammont (Geraardsbergen) in the region of West Flanders in Belgium on 14 October 1789. His father, Ghislain-François (1761-1842), was a successful brewer in Grammont and belonged to a well established and wealthy family that traced its origin in the city of Gent back to 1600. His mother, Cécile-Joseph (1757-1826), a leading force in the lace-making business, belonged to an established and influential family in Grammont. Constant's uncle, Jean-François Spitaels founded his own bank and this side of the family later branched out into heavy industry, railways and textiles. During his life, van Crombrugghe undertook a wide variety of activities during his life including being:
- Responsible for the choristers of the Cathedral of Amiens in France
- A Roman Catholic Priest, Canon and Dean of Gent Cathedral
- The Secretary and special envoy to the Bishop of Gent
- A member of the Diocesan Council of Gent
- An elected delegate to the 1830 National Constitutional Congress of Belgium
- The author of several books and a newspaper columnist
- The Founder of four Religious Orders
- The Headmaster of the College of Alost
- A director of Catholic Education in Flanders
- A director of the "Le Catholique des Pays-Bas" newspaper
- A benefactor of the poor
- A Prison Visitor
It is possible to gain an accurate insight into van Crombrugghe the person. His letters to his parents and his letters to the Josephites show the deep concern he had for others. Also of interest are the letters by his Uncle Heleu to Constant. Two of the three speeches included here date from the time he was Headmaster at Alost (Aalst): The 1815 Easter and 1815 Summer Prize Giving Speeches. The third speech is the text of his important intervention at the 1830 National Constitutional Congress in Brussels. There are also a number of images of the Founder. Further information can be found in the Documents for Educators.
