Catholic University of Leuven (1834–1968)
Université catholique de Louvain - Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven | |
University seal, created in 1909, depicting the Sedes Sapientiae statue in Leuven. | |
| Latin: Universitas Lovaniensis | |
Other name | Catholic University of Louvain |
|---|---|
| Active | 1834–1968 |
| Founder | The Bishops of Belgium and Pope Gregory XVI |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholicism |
| Chancellor | Engelbert Sterckx (first) Léon-Joseph Suenens (last) |
| Rector | Pierre de Ram (first, 1834-1865) Albert Descamps (last, 1962-1968) |
| Location | , Belgium |
| Campus | urban |
| Language | French (1834-1969) Dutch (1930-1969) Latin (faculty of theology) |
The Catholic University of Leuven or Louvain (French: Université catholique de Louvain, Dutch: Katholieke Hogeschool te Leuven, later Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven) was founded in 1834 in Mechelen as the Catholic University of Belgium, and moved its seat to the town of Leuven in 1835, changing its name to Catholic University of Leuven. In 1968, it was split into two universities, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Université catholique de Louvain, following tensions between the Dutch and French-speaking student bodies.