Picard, Edmond

(ĕdmôN´ pēkär´), 1836–1924, Belgian jurist and author. A brilliant lawyer, he was at various times president of the Belgian bar association and a member of the supreme court. He wrote two works that explore the similarities between law and art: Paradox sur l'avocat (1881) and Le Juré (1887). Many of his novels are autobiographical, recounting his adventures as a sailor and explorer; notable among them is L'Amiral (1884). Picard also wrote seven plays.