Pieter De Reu obtained a History degree at Ghent University (2007) and was a scientific researcher since. He subsequently worked at the State Archives of Belgium in Beveren and in Ghent (2008-2012), and at the History Department of Ghent University (2012-2016).
His ongoing PhD research The development of the fiscal administration as a manifestation of state capacity and infrastructural power brings into focus the 'power' of the nineteenth century Belgian state, by mapping out the former Finance Department.
Pieter De Reu is currently affliated to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel: he joined the research group for Contextual Research in Law (CORE, Metajuridica Department) in February 2018. He began exploring the legal backgrounds of bankruptcy of nineteenth-century Belgian entrepreneurs, by examining judicial actions of economic failures at the commercial courts. His current research aims at the study of pre-insolvency restructurings of SMEs, in the era 1850-1910.
His research interests are in the area of fiscal history and commercial law history, public institutions, heuristics in history and research methodology. In addition he publishes on property practices and property transfer in the past, as well as rural and industrial history.
