Charles-Xavier Sainctelette, de eerste Société belge de Géographie en de opkomst van het expansionisme in België (1869-1873).

This contribution deals with a first attempt to create a geographical society in Belgium in the years between 1869 and 1873. At first sight there is nothing extraordinary about it. Indeed, in the second half of the 19th century plenty of similar societies were founded all over Europe. What makes this society remarkable is the economic and utilitarian approach of the man who is considered to be the founder of this first Belgian Society, Charles-Xavier Sainctelette. In his view geography was an instrument for the promotion of the expansion of Belgian commerce and industry. This study combines history of science with the general economic history of Belgium and with the history of Belgian activities oversea. It reflects on the origins and program of the society in relation to the leading schools of French and German geography. Elements of this history have to do with the development of the port of Antwerp, the industry of Wallonia and the colonial dream of king Leopold II.