Jules Jacques de Dixmude

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Lieutenant-general Jules Jacques de Dixmude, commonly known as General Jacques (Jules Marie Alphonse Jacques), was a Belgian soldier and colonial figure who lived from February 24, 1858, to November 24, 1928. He was born in Stavelot, Belgium, and died in Ixelles, Belgium.

In Africa, Jacques helped build Belgium’s presence in the Congo. He founded the town of Albertville (now Kalemie) on Lake Tanganyika in 1892 and played a key role in Belgium’s colonial activities there. His actions and beliefs are tied to the brutal aspects of the Congo Free State era, including harsh measures against local people. He worked as a colonial official from 1895 to 1898 and again in 1902, including work on a railway project linking Bas-Congo to Katanga.

Back in Belgium, Jacques advanced in the army. He became a major in 1908, a lieutenant colonel in 1913, and a colonel in 1914, commanding the 12th Regiment. During World War I he led the 3rd Army Division, earning promotions to major general in 1915 and lieutenant general in 1916. For his service, he received several honors and was created a baron in 1919 by King Albert I. In 1924 he added “de Dixmude” to his name.

Jacques is remembered in Belgium with streets and monuments named after him, including Boulevard Général Jacques in Brussels. A bas-relief honoring him appears on the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.