He led the Orangist movement and was the first prime minister of Luxembourg, serving for four months, from 1 August 1848 until 6 December of the same year.

[1] When the Belgian Revolution broke out, he supported William I, and was appointed to the government commission that controlled Luxembourg City.

[1] On 1 August 1848 he became the first head of government of Luxembourg and was also responsible for the areas of foreign affairs, justice, and culture.

[1] In 1857 he was appointed the first president of the newly established Council of State, which he remained for 11 years.

[1] His third son, Edmond, better known by his pen name 'Dicks', became Luxembourg's national poet, and one of the fathers of Luxembourgian literature.