Université catholique de Louvain
He obtained an MSc in construction and mining engineering in 1874 at the "Université catholique de Louvain", after which he worked as an engineer for the company "Nicaise et Delcuve" in La Louvière, Belgium. In 1885 he became Director for the Ministry of Public Works in West Flanders, and four years afterward also achieved the post of Professor of Construction, Material Strength, and Structural Engineering at the "Université catholique de Louvain".