Max, Adolphe Eugene Jean (1869–1939)

Belgian burgomaster. In 1909 he became burgomaster of Brussels. After his opposition to the German occupation of the city during World War I, he was arrested and imprisoned in Germany. He escaped and returned to Brussels in November 1918. He was reinstated as burgomaster.

He was born in Brussels. He was educated at the Athenées of Brussels and Ixelles, and at Brussels University. He joined the newspaper La Liberte with Paul Hymans. When the Germans occupied Brussels in 1914, Max issued propaganda posters contradicting those published by the Germans, and continually protested against the violation of the citizens' rights. The German governor, von Bissing, then stopped the distribution of food rations in order to raise an additional tax of 30 million francs, whereupon Max warned all banks that the city no longer guaranteed its bonds. After his reinstatement he remained in office until his death.