POTTER United Families

One of the 30 volumes describing the history of Ghent
The result of all this was that Frans was appointed in 1877 in Ghent
as deputy state archivist. He taught his people more than just learning
to read.
On the contrary, with his enthusiastic word, his literary work and his
immense activities, he has been a precious and unmistakable element
in the first years of their spiritual and cultural emancipation and their
awakening.
In 1863 Frans was one of the first (founding) members of the liberal
Fund Willems and he was very active in its operation. In retrospect,
perhaps under the urge of circumstances fed by his Roman
conscience, he has explicitly distanced himself from this cultural
association.
This grand project was traversed by his appointment in 1886 as
general secretary of the "Royal Flemish Academy of Linguistics and
Literature". As a pivot and soul he has led this new national
institution tirelessly for 18 years. It meant for him a not only a
national recognition but also a tribute from the Netherlands.
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