Marie Joseph Charles, 6th Duke d'Ursel

Marie Joseph Charles, 6th Duke d'Ursel (Brussels 1848 - Strombeek-Bever 1903), was a Belgian politician.

Joseph d'Ursel was the second son of Leo, 5th Duke d'Ursel (1805–1878), and his second wife Henriette d'Harcourt. Joseph's elder brother died before inheriting the title, so Joseph became the 6th Duke on the death of his father. In 1872 he married Antonine de Mun (1849–1931), sister of Count Albert de Mun.

He was provincial councilor, then governor of the province of Hainaut (1878) and mayor of Hingene (1878–1903). He was Governor of Hainaut during the strikes of 1886. Impressed by these events, he became like his brother-in-law Albert de Mun, more aware of social issues. He wrote a pamphlet in 1895 basing his ideas of Frederic Le Play.

When he reached the required age, he entered the Belgian Senate. He was the president of the Senate when he died prematurely.

See also

• Duke of Ursel

References

Further reading

• The late Duc d'Ursel.(2); Although Head of an Ancient House, He Was a Statesman of Progres- sive Ideas, The New York Times, 28 November 1903