Eugene Schneider French industrialist Date of Birth: 18.03.2029 Country: France

1. Biography of Eugène Schneider
2. Early Life and Career
3. Industrial Success and Political Career
4. Political Involvement
5. Ministerial Appointment and Later Career
6. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Eugène Schneider

Eugène Schneider, a French industrialist, was born on March 29, 1805, in Bidestroff, Moselle, France. He co-founded the company 'Schneider' in 1836 along with his brother Adolphe Schneider. Over the years, Eugène remained a member of the Chamber of Deputies and briefly served as the Minister of Commerce and Agriculture in 1851.

Early Life and Career

Eugène Schneider was the brother of François Antoine Schneider, a financier and industrialist, who also served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1842 to 1845. After the death of his father when he was young, Eugène took up a modest position in a trading firm in Reims. He later worked in the bank of Baron François-Alexandre Seillière.

Eugène displayed entrepreneurial qualities and, at the age of 25, was appointed as the head of a forge in Bazeilles. In 1833, his brother Adolphe became the managing director of the company 'Le Creuzot,' and Eugène became one of its managers the same year. He made significant contributions to the prosperity of the company.

Industrial Success and Political Career

After his brother's death, Eugène became the sole director of 'Le Creuzot' and soon became a powerful industrialist. During the crisis of 1848, Eugène Schneider, along with politician Charles de Wendel, saved the foundry in Fourchambault from bankruptcy by obtaining a massive bank loan.

Schneider monopolized the supply of weapons to the French government and provided materials for the construction of railways. In 1864, he established the 'Comité des forges,' an organization of leaders in the French metallurgical industry, which aimed to improve relations between the government and the industry, promote exports, and coordinate pricing. Eugène became the first president of the committee, which consisted of ten members representing different regions.

Political Involvement

After his brother's death, Schneider was elected as a councilor for Couches and Montcenis. On September 13, 1845, he was appointed as a member of the Chamber of Deputies for Saône-et-Loire. During the July Monarchy, Eugène remained a deputy until February 24, 1848, aligning himself with the government majority.

Under the Second French Republic, Schneider unsuccessfully attempted to be elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1848. In 1849, he also unsuccessfully ran for the French Legislative Assembly.

Ministerial Appointment and Later Career

On January 20, 1851, Eugène Schneider was invited by the first President of the French Republic, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, to join the interim cabinet as the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. He served in this position until April 10, 1851, and was later appointed as the commander of the Legion of Honor.

Schneider supported the state coup in France on December 2, 1851, which led to the establishment of the Second Empire. He became a member of the advisory commission and, on February 29, 1852, was elected as the official candidate for the Legislative Corps from the 2nd electoral district of Saône-et-Loire.

Eugène Schneider was re-elected several times and served as the president of the Legislative Corps from April 2, 1867, until September 4, 1870. He remained a member of the corps until September 4, 1870, always aligning himself with the dynastic majority.

Later Life and Legacy

Eugène Schneider passed away on November 27, 1875, in Paris. He was buried in the Church of San Charles in Le Creusot. His name is included in the list of the 72 greatest scientists of France, which is displayed on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

The company 'Schneider' grew into the multinational corporation 'Schneider Electric SE,' with a revenue of approximately €25 billion in the 2016 fiscal year.