Octave Delepierre

Joseph Octave Delepierre (12 March 1802 – 18 August 1879) was a Belgian lawyer, archivist, diplomat, writer and antiquary. He spent his later life in the United Kingdom, and is best known for his studies of macaronic language and literature.

Life

He was born at Bruges in France (now in Belgium), 12 March 1802. His father was Joseph Delepierre, for many years receveur-général of the province of West Flanders; his mother was of the Penaranda family. Illiterate at age 12, he qualified for the University of Ghent. Having obtained the degree of doctor of laws, he became an avocat, and was appointed archivist of West Flanders, in Bruges.

A collector of books and works of art, Delepierre's reputation as a local antiquary attracted visitors from abroad. When Albert, Prince Consort was in Bruges in 1839, Delepierre was his guide. But he became dissatisfied with his official position, after an application for promotion was disregarded. He had made the acquaintance of Sylvain Van de Weyer, who induced him in 1843 to come to London, in August 1849 appointed him a secretary of legation, and obtained for him the post of Belgian consul. He made his way in society, and held Sunday evening receptions.

Delepierre was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and a member of other English, Belgian, and French societies. He was decorated with several orders of knighthood. For over 35 years he acted as Belgian secretary of legation, and, until 1877, when he resigned, he was consul-general for Belgium in London.