Here are 2 famous musicians from Belgium died at 47:
Henri Story (November 27, 1897 Ghent-December 5, 1944 Gross-Rosen concentration camp) was a Belgian personality.
He was a lawyer by profession and also a writer and poet. During World War II, he joined the Belgian resistance movement against the Nazi occupation. He became the leader of the resistance group "Groupe G", which was active in the Brussels region. In 1943, Henri Story was arrested by the Gestapo and was imprisoned in several concentration camps, including Gross-Rosen where he eventually died. He is remembered as a hero of the Belgian resistance and was posthumously awarded the "Ordre de la Couronne" and the "Croix de guerre".
Henri Story received his law degree from the Free University of Brussels in 1921 and went on to practice law in Brussels. Aside from his legal career, he was also a poet and writer, and he published several works in both French and Dutch. His writing explored themes such as love, freedom, and justice.
During World War II, Henri Story became involved in the Belgian resistance movement, which sought to undermine the German occupation of Belgium. He was initially involved with the "Comité de Défense des Juifs," a group dedicated to protecting Jewish individuals from persecution.
In 1942, Henri Story founded the resistance group "Groupe G" with the support of the British intelligence agency MI6. The group's activities included sabotage, intelligence gathering, and helping Allied soldiers escape capture. The group grew to over 100 members with Story as its leader.
However, in May 1943, Henri Story was arrested by the Gestapo and endured severe torture during his imprisonment. He was transferred to several concentration camps, including Gross-Rosen in Poland, where he eventually died on December 5, 1944, at the age of 47.
Henri Story is remembered as a hero of the Belgian resistance, whose bravery and sacrifice helped to undermine the Nazi occupation of Belgium. He was posthumously awarded the "Ordre de la Couronne" and the "Croix de guerre" for his service. In 1950, a street in Brussels was named after him in his honor.
Henri Story's involvement in the resistance movement and his eventual arrest by the Gestapo was not his only personal tragedy during World War II. His wife was also arrested and sent to a concentration camp, where she perished. Despite this, Story remained dedicated to the resistance cause until his arrest, and even managed to send messages to his group while imprisoned.
In addition to his legal career and writing, Henri Story was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Belgian Socialist Party and advocated for workers' rights and social justice.
Today, Henri Story is remembered as a symbol of resistance and bravery in Belgium. His life and sacrifice serve as a reminder of the courage and strength of those who fought against Nazi oppression during World War II.
Furthermore, Henri Story was a strong advocate for gender equality and women's rights. He was an active member of the Belgian Women's Rights League and wrote several articles and speeches on the subject. His support for these issues continued even during his involvement in the resistance movement. He believed that social justice could not be achieved without gender equality and fought for women's rights alongside his other causes.
Aside from his political and literary endeavors, Henri Story was also a talented athlete. He was a skilled soccer player and was known to have played for the Belgian national team in the 1920s. He was also an accomplished tennis player and often played matches with his colleagues and friends.
Henri Story's legacy continues to inspire many in Belgium and beyond. Several books and documentaries have been made about his life and his contributions to the resistance movement. His bravery and dedication to justice and freedom serve as an inspiration to all those who fight against oppression and injustice.
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Raoul Warocqué (February 4, 1870 Belgium-May 28, 1917 Brussels) was a Belgian personality.
He was born into a wealthy family and became a prominent businessman and industrialist. Warocqué was also a noted philanthropist, and his contributions to the community included the establishment of a hospital and a school for girls. He was a collector of fine art and amassed an impressive collection that he displayed in his home. After his death, his collection was donated to the city of Mons and formed the foundation of what is now the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mons. Warocqué also had a keen interest in natural history and traveled extensively to study and collect specimens. He established a natural history museum in his hometown of Morlanwelz, which still exists today as the Musée Royal de Mariemont. Warocqué's legacy continues to be celebrated in Belgium, and the Warocqué Medal is awarded each year by the Belgian Academy of Sciences to recognize outstanding contributions to science and the arts.
In addition to his philanthropic and collecting pursuits, Raoul Warocqué was deeply involved in politics. He served as a member of parliament for the Catholic Party from 1904 until his death in 1917. During his time in office, he was a strong advocate for workers' rights and social welfare programs. He also played a crucial role in the construction of the Brussels-Midi railway station, which is one of the busiest train stations in Europe. Despite his untimely death at the age of 47, Warocqué left a lasting impact on Belgian society through his contributions in business, philanthropy, art, natural history, and politics.
Warocqué's business ventures included managing his family's coal mining company and serving as the director of several other industrial firms. He was known for his progressive views on labor relations and was one of the first industrialists in Belgium to implement a system of social benefits for his workers. Warocqué also supported the development of the Belgian colony of Congo, although he later became a vocal critic of the brutal treatment of the Congolese people by colonial authorities.
In addition to his political career, Warocqué was also a prolific writer and published several works on topics such as natural history and the history of his local region. He was a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Fine Arts of Belgium, and was honored with several awards and distinctions during his lifetime.
Warocqué's tragic death came as a result of complications from surgery, and his passing was mourned by many in Belgium and beyond. His legacy lives on through the institutions and initiatives he established during his lifetime, as well as through the ongoing celebration of the Warocqué Medal and other honors that bear his name.
Despite his success in business and politics, Raoul Warocqué remained grounded and committed to his community. He was known for his generosity, and his philanthropic endeavors went beyond the establishment of a hospital and a girls' school. He provided support to various charities and organizations, and was actively involved in promoting education and culture. Warocqué also supported the arts, and was a patron of several artists and musicians. He was a prolific art collector, and his eclectic tastes led him to acquire works by both established masters and emerging talents. His passion for art was evident in the establishment of his own personal museum, where he would host private viewings for friends and guests. Today, this collection forms the foundation of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mons, which is home to over 10,000 works of art.
Warocqué's interest in natural history was a lifelong passion, and he pursued it with great enthusiasm. He funded several scientific expeditions, and contributed to the discovery and classification of new species. He was also a collector of fossils, minerals, and other specimens, which he displayed in his own natural history museum. This museum, which was established in the early 1900s, was one of the first in Belgium and was a testament to Warocqué's dedication to science and education. It still remains a popular attraction and a valuable resource for researchers today.
In addition to his business, philanthropic, and scientific pursuits, Warocqué was a devoted family man. He was married to Marguerite Van der Linden d'Hooghvorst, with whom he had two children. Despite his many commitments, he always made time for his family, and was known for his kindness and generosity to those closest to him.
Overall, Raoul Warocqué was a remarkable individual whose impact on Belgian society was wide-ranging and significant. His legacy remains strong today, and his name is synonymous with innovation, progress, and compassion.
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