Dicks
Encyclopedia
Edmond de la Fontaine (24 July 1823 – 24 June 1891), better known by his pen name
of Dicks, was a Luxembourg
ian jurist
, poet
, and lyricist
, known for his work in the Luxembourgish language
. He is considered the national poet of Luxembourg, and, along with Michel Lentz
and Michel Rodange
, one of the most important figures in the history of Luxembourgian literature. In addition, his Luxemburger Sitten und Bräuche was one of the most influential early ethnographies
on the Luxembourgian people.
Fontaine was the third son of Gaspard-Théodore-Ignace de la Fontaine
, who was appointed Governor
of Luxembourg in 1841, and subsequently served as the country's first Prime Minister in 1848. Fontaine studied at Liège
and Heidelberg
from 1844 until 1847, before becoming a lawyer
in 1850. From 1867 until 1870, he served as mayor
of Stadtbredimus
, in eastern Luxembourg's Moselle Valley
. He lived in Stadtbredimus Castle
from 1858 to 1881 when he became a Justice of the Peace
in Vianden
, where he would live for the last decade of his life.
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
of Dicks, was a Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
ian jurist
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, and lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, known for his work in the Luxembourgish language
Luxembourgish language
Luxembourgish is a High German language spoken mainly in Luxembourg. About 320,000 people worldwide speak Luxembourgish.-Language family:...
. He is considered the national poet of Luxembourg, and, along with Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz was a Luxembourgian poet. He is best known for having written Ons Hémécht, the national anthem of Luxembourg....
and Michel Rodange
Michel Rodange
Michel Rodange was a Luxembourgian writer and poet, best known for writing Luxembourg's national epic, Rénert the Fox....
, one of the most important figures in the history of Luxembourgian literature. In addition, his Luxemburger Sitten und Bräuche was one of the most influential early ethnographies
Ethnography
Ethnography is a qualitative method aimed to learn and understand cultural phenomena which reflect the knowledge and system of meanings guiding the life of a cultural group...
on the Luxembourgian people.
Fontaine was the third son of Gaspard-Théodore-Ignace de la Fontaine
Gaspard-Théodore-Ignace de la Fontaine
Gaspard-Théodore-Ignace de la Fontaine was a Luxembourgian politician and jurist. He led the Orangist movement and was the first Prime Minister of Luxembourg, serving for four months, from 1 August 1848 until 6 December of the same year.His third son, Edmond, better known by his pen name 'Dicks',...
, who was appointed Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Luxembourg in 1841, and subsequently served as the country's first Prime Minister in 1848. Fontaine studied at Liège
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
and Heidelberg
Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
The Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is a public research university located in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386, it is the oldest university in Germany and was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. Heidelberg has been a coeducational institution...
from 1844 until 1847, before becoming a lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
in 1850. From 1867 until 1870, he served as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Stadtbredimus
Stadtbredimus
Stadtbredimus is a commune and small town in south-eastern Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Remich, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher., the town of Stadtbredimus, which lies in the south-east of the commune, has a population of 676...
, in eastern Luxembourg's Moselle Valley
Moselle valley
The Moselle valley is a region in north-eastern France, south-western Germany, and eastern Luxembourg, centred on the river valley formed by the Moselle...
. He lived in Stadtbredimus Castle
Stadtbredimus Castle
Stadtbredimus Castle , located on the banks of the Moselle in the village of Stadtbredimus in south-eastern Luxembourg, has a history going back to the 13th century when a fortified castle stood on the site. In 1724, today's castle was built on the ruins of the old fort and, after some questionable...
from 1858 to 1881 when he became a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in Vianden
Vianden
Vianden is a commune with city status in the Oesling, north-eastern Luxembourg, with over 1,500 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany., the town of Vianden,...
, where he would live for the last decade of his life.
Plays
- Scholdschäin (the first play written in Luxembourgish)
- De Koséng
- Mumm Séiss
- Kiirmesgäscht
- Op der Juecht
Ethnography
- Luxemburger Sitten und Bräuche, Luxemburg: Brück 1883 (in GermanGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
) - Die luxemburger Kinderreime, Luxemburg: Bück 1877
Legacy
- The Dicks-Lentz Monument at the west end of Place d'ArmesPlace d'Armes (Luxembourg)The Place d'Armes is a square in Luxembourg City in the south of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Centrally placed in the old town, it attracts large numbers of locals and visitors, especially in the summer months...
in Luxembourg City was built in 1903 to honor Dicks and Michel Lentz.