Jean Denis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jean Denis (1902-11-10)10 November 1902 |
| Died | 16 March 1992 |
| Known for | Political ideologue |
| Notable work | Principes Rexistes,Bases Doctrinales de Rex |
| Political party | Rexist Party |
Jean Denis (10 November 1902 – 10 March 1992) was aBelgian politician and writer. Through his written work he was the chiefideologue of theRexist movement.
A native of Chastre-Villeroux-Blanmont inWalloon Brabant, Denis was educated to doctorate level.[1] He first became involved in politics with the radicalCatholic movements, serving as secretary to Monsignor Louis Picard.[1]Léon Degrelle had also been a member of Picard'sAction Catholique de la Jeunesse Belge and it was that movement's publishing house,Éditions Rex, that inspired the name of Rexism.[2] As such Denis was almost inevitably drawn to Rexism and he served as a deputy forNamur between 1936 and 1939.[3]
Denis two main books werePrincipes Rexistes andBases Doctrinales de Rex, both published in 1936. Within these books he argued that Rex was more of a popular movement than apolitical party and endorsed a policy that sought to restore dignity to Belgium through a new hierarchical state. As such he demonstrated an influence ofIntegralismo Lusitano, which held similar views with regards toPortugal, on Rexist thought.[3]
Under theNazi German occupation Deniscollaborated with the occupiers and wrote regularly forLe Pays Réel.[3] He was imprisoned after the war for his activity but his fairly minor involvement saw him released in 1951. He settled in Dion-le-Val,Chaumont-Gistoux following his release and disappeared into obscurity.[3]