Here’s a RARE Autograph of French 3rd Republic Politician
ÉDOUARD
LOCKROY
(1838 - 1913)
· PROMINENT
19th CENTURY FRENCH
RADICAL-SOCIALIST POLITICIAN, and MINISTER OF STATE DURING THE FRENCH THIRD
REPUBLIC,
·
MINISTER OF
THE NAVY (1895–1896, 1898–1899), FIERCELY ADVOCATING FOR A STRONG, MODERNIZED
NAVY, and LAUNCHING MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS, e.g., CREATING THE ÉCOLE
SUPÉRIEURE DE LA MARINE,” AND BACKING THE CREATION OF EARLY SUBMERSIBLES,
· MINISTER OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND FINE ARTS (1888–1889), OVERSEEING FRANCE'S EDUCATIONAL
AND CULTURAL POLICIES, and
· MINISTRE DU
COMMERCE ET DE L'INDUSTRIE (MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY), THE FIRST TO
HOLD THIS “INDUSTRY” TITLE, OFFICIALLY APPROVING AND SUPPORTING CONSTRUCTION OF
THE EIFFEL TOWER FOR THE 1889 WORLD’S FAIR IN PARIS!
Before entering politics, Lockroy studied art and
volunteered to fight under Giuseppe Garibaldi during the unification of Italy
in 1860.
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCH OF ÉDOUARD LOCKROY
Édouard
Lockroy (the French variant of
Edward), who served as the Ministre du Commerce et de l'Industrie
(Minister of Commerce and Industry).
Appointed
on January 7, 1886, Lockroy is a foundational figure in French industrial
history as he was the very first official to hold the modern
"Industry" title added to the commerce portfolio. During his
mandate, he became highly notable for officially approving and supporting the
construction of the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 World's Fair.
…
Édouard
Lockroy (born Édouard-Étienne-Auguste
Simon on July 18, 1838) was a prominent French journalist and Radical-Socialist
politician who served as a minister during the French Third Republic. He passed
away on November 22, 1913.
Key
Political Roles
- Minister of
Commerce and Industry (1886–1887):
In this role, he made preliminary arrangements for the 1889 Paris World's
Fair. He is most famous for actively defending and supporting the
construction of the Eiffel Tower against heavy backlash from the
Parisian artistic community. He even personally planted the French flag at
the top of the tower during its inauguration.
- Minister of Public
Instruction and Fine Arts (1888–1889): Overseeing France's educational and cultural policies.
- Minister of the
Navy (1895–1896, 1898–1899):
Lockroy was a fierce advocate for a strong, modernized naval policy. He
launched major administrative reforms, created the École supérieure de
la marine, and backed the creation of early submersibles like the Narval.
Early
Life & Personal Details
Before
entering politics, Lockroy studied art and volunteered to fight under Giuseppe
Garibaldi during the unification of Italy in 1860. He also worked as a
secretary and illustrator for the renowned philosopher Ernest Renan during an
archaeological mission to the Middle East. Returning to France, he became a
sharp-witted political journalist opposing the Second French Empire, which
landed him in prison multiple times.
In
1877, he married Alice Lehaene, the widowed daughter-in-law of the legendary
French writer Victor Hugo.
Legacy
- Port Lockroy: A famous harbor and research station on the
Antarctic Peninsula was named in his honor after being discovered during a
French Antarctic Expedition that he helped fund.
- Rue Édouard-Lockroy: A public street located in the 11th
arrondissement of Paris, where he served as a political deputy for nearly
30 years.
The autograph has been mounted to an
autograph album sheet and measures 6¾” x 4” and is in very fine condition.
I am a proud member of
the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of
America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors
(APIC) (member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations'
code of ethics and authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service and
historical memorabilia online for over 25 years.~
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