Edouard Bunge was an entrepreneur, a world traveler, and a philanthropist. But above all, he was the visionary who laid the foundation for nearly a century of brain research in Antwerp. So who was the man behind the institute?
An Antwerp entrepreneur with a global vision
Born in 1851, Edouard Bunge grew up in one of Antwerp’s most prominent families. From the 19th century onwards, the Bunge family built an international trading empire, with branches across Europe, North and South America, and even Africa. Edouard joined the family business in 1879. The firm, Bunge & Cie, was already a major force in international trade, but under his direction Antwerp became a true competitor to London in the booming markets of ivory and rubber. His activities took him across the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, building an empire that linked Antwerp to global trade flows.
This global success was closely tied to the colonial economy of the time, with trade in ivory and rubber that we now recognize as exploitative. It is a reminder that his legacy is linked both to Antwerp’s rise in global commerce and to the inequalities of that era.
During his travels, Edouard visited leading scientific institutes such as the Rockefeller Institute in New York and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. There, he began to dream of creating something similar in Antwerp.
From trade to science
Alongside his business success, Edouard was known for his social engagement. He strongly believed in the power of education and science to move society forward. During the First World War, his home became a relief hub for the local community, while he served as chairman of the National Committee for Relief and Food. In 1926, he helped establish the Foundation Bunge, which financed academic initiatives such as the Colonial School in Antwerp.
Soon after, Edouard fell seriously ill. He passed away in 1927. To honor him, his family and the Fondation Bunge created a memorial fund. In 1933, this fund made it possible to open the Institute Bunge, a center for surgical and medical research, and the starting point of what we now know as the Institute Born-Bunge.The full story of the Institute only takes shape once Ernest Born enters the picture. How his name became linked with Bunge is something you’ll discover in an upcoming blog.
A lasting legacy
From its early focus on neuropathology and cardiovascular research, the institute quickly established itself as a pioneer. Today, nearly a century later, the Institute Born-Bunge continues to build on Edouard Bunge’s legacy as a unique place where research, diagnostics, and biobanking come together to help us better understand and treat brain diseases.
Learn more about our history
