Pierlot, Hubert

Born Dec. 23, 1883, in Cugnon; died Dec. 13, 1963, in Brussels. Belgian statesman and leader of the Catholic Party; count. Professor of law.

Pierlot was minister of internal affairs in 1934 and 1935 and minister of agriculture from 1936 to 1938. In 1939 he became head of government, and during the occupation of Belgium (May 1940 to September 1944) he set up the government-in-exile in London. After Belgium’s liberation in September 1944, Pierlot was prime minister until February 1945. He pursued an antidemocratic policy and was forced to resign under pressure from the popular masses.