Henri de Man was a Belgian politician and economist born on March 24, 1885, and he passed away on April 27, 1953. He was a prominent member of the Belgian Socialist Party and played a significant role in shaping socialist thought in Belgium during the early to mid-20th century. De Man is best known for his advocacy of a planned economy and his critique of traditional Marxism. In addition to his political career, de Man was an influential writer and theorist. He developed the de Man Plan, which aimed to address economic challenges through state intervention and social reform. His ideas contributed to the broader discussions on socialism and economic policy in Europe during his time.