Alfons Janssens

Alfons Janssens studied at the Saint-Joseph’s college in Sint-Niklaas. In 1868 he was serving as a sergeant with the papal zouaves. He married in 1872 and took charge of the family’s textile factory with his brother. He co-founded the Guild of Crafts and Commerce of Sint-Niklaas. From 1885 onwards he was involved with the Davidsfonds as chairman and as a national board member. He also was a poet and an author and member of the Royal Flemish Academy for Linguistics and Literature. He befriended Guido Gezelle and they maintained an extensive correspondence. He delivered contributions to De Vlaamsche Wacht, Rond den Heerd, Loquela, Het Belfort en Vlaamsche Zanten. As a catholic politician he was a town council member in Sint Niklaas (1885-1904) and a member of the House of representatives in the Sint-Niklaas district (1892-1900).