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Joseph Pholien

1884 – 1968

Belgian politician

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About Joseph Pholien

Lived 1884 – 1968 (aged 83). Joseph Pholien was a Belgian politician.

Joseph Clovis Louis Marie Emmanuel Pholien (; 28 December 1884 – 4 January 1968) was a Belgian Catholic politician and member of the PSC-CVP. He was born in Liège, and volunteered to serve with the Belgian army during World War I, being commissioned as a first lieutenant. He was the minister of Justice under Paul-Henri Spaak from May 1938 to February 1939 and was the prime minister of Belgium from 16 August 1950 to 15 January 1952. In 1966, he became a minister of State.

His term as prime minister is notable for seeing the departure of the Belgian United Nations Command (BUNC) to fight in the Korean War (1950–1953).

He was the last Christian Democrat prime minister from Wallonia.

Honours Croix de Guerre. Minister of state, by Royal Decree. Grand Officer in the Order of Leopold. Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown. Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Leopold II. Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown of Thailand. Grand Officer in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Commander in the Legion of Honour.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Free University of Brussels
Positions held
Prime Minister of Belgium, Senator of Belgium, Minister of Justice of Belgium
Awards
Minister of State; Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II; Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown; Croix de guerre 1940–1945 (Belgium); Commander of the Legion of Honour; Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown; Member of the Order of the British Empire; Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Also known as
Joseph Clovis Louis Marie Emmanuel Pholien

People in Joseph Pholien's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Joseph Pholien's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joseph Pholien?

Belgian politician (1884-1968)

When was Joseph Pholien born?

Joseph Pholien was born on 28 December 1884 in Liège.

When did Joseph Pholien die?

Joseph Pholien died on 4 January 1968 in Brussels.

What was Joseph Pholien's occupation?

Joseph Pholien was a politician.

What nationality was Joseph Pholien?

Joseph Pholien was Belgian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Joseph Pholien

· Wikidata: Q705111

· DBpedia: Joseph Pholien

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joseph Pholien. https://biography.guide/joseph-pholien/

MLA: "Joseph Pholien." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joseph-pholien/.

Chicago: "Joseph Pholien." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joseph-pholien/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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