Victor Thorn
Victor Thorn was a Luxembourgish politician who served as 11th Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 1916 to 1917. Prior to his tenure as prime minister he was Director General of Public Works from 1888 to 1892, and Director General of Justice and Public Works in 1915.
Early life
Victor Thorn was born in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, on 31 January 1844. From 1863 to 1866, he studied law at Ghent University, Heidelberg University, and University of Dijon. He was admitted to the bar in Luxembourg in 1867.Career
From 1868 to 1883, Thorn worked as a lawyer. In 1883, he was appointed as State Attorney and as Attorney General in 1899. Between 1885 and 1930, he was a member of the Council of State of Luxembourg on multiple occasions.From 22 September 1888 to 26 October 1892, Thorn was Director General of Public Works. He was Director General of Justice and Public Works in Prime Minister Mathias Mongenast's cabinet from 3 March to 6 November 1915.
On 24 February 1916, Thorn became the 11th Prime Minister of Luxembourg and was one of five governments that Luxembourg had during World War I. His government was a coalition between the Liberal League and Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party. Thorn also held the position of Director General of Foreign Affairs and Justice in his government.
Thorn's government attempted to curb inflation by instituting price controls, but this produced a large black market. In June 1917, a mining strike started and was suppressed by the Germany Army. Director General of Agriculture Michel Welter lost a motion of no confidence in the Chamber of Deputies and Thorn's government lost its majority after the election of three independent deputies in 1917. The government resigned on 19 June 1917, A government led by Léon Kauffman was formed to succeed him.