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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Pierre Giffard
| name = Pierre Giffard
|image = Pierre Giffard, Editor of Le Velo, circa 1900.jpg
| image = Pierre Giffard, Editor of Le Velo, circa 1900.jpg
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| birth_place = [[Fontaine-le-Dun]], [[Seine-Maritime]], France
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|birth_date = {{Birth date|1853|5|1|df=y}}
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1922|1|21|1853|5|1|df=y}}
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|birth_place = [[Fontaine-le-Dun]], [[Seine-Maritime]], France
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| death_place = [[Maisons-Laffitte]]
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|death_date = {{Death date and age|1922|1|21|1853|5|1853|5|1|df=y}}
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| nationality = French
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| other_names = ''Arator'' at ''Le Vélo''<br>''Jean-sans-Terre'' at ''Le Petit Journal''
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'''Pierre Giffard''' (1 May 1853 – 21 January 1922) was a French journalist, a pioneer of modern political reporting, a newspaper publisher and a prolific sports organiser. In 1892, he was appointed ''Chevalier'' (Knight) of the [[Légion d'Honneur]] and in 1900 he was appointed an ''Officier'' (Officer) of the Légion d'Honneur.
'''Pierre Giffard''' (1 May 1853 – 21 January 1922) was a French journalist, a pioneer of modern political reporting, a newspaper publisher and a prolific sports organiser. In 1892, he was appointed ''Chevalier'' (Knight) of the [[Légion d'Honneur]] and in 1900 he was appointed an ''Officier'' (Officer) of the Légion d'Honneur.


Parisian newspapers used sporting events as circulation aids, and Giffard created the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] cycle race in 1891, the 380 kilometre [[#Paris–Belfort running race|Paris–Belfort]] running race in 1892,{{r|RanOnt}} the world's first car race from Paris to Rouen in 1894,{{r|8W}} the [[Paris marathon]] in 1896, and a foot-race from Bordeaux to Paris in 1903.{{r|RanOnt}}
Parisian newspapers used sporting events as circulation aids, and Giffard created the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] cycle race in 1891, the 380 kilometre [[#Paris–Belfort running race|Paris–Belfort]] running race in 1892,{{r|RanOnt}} the world's first car race from [[Paris–Rouen (motor race)|Paris to Rouen]] in 1894,{{r|8W}} the [[Paris Marathon]] in 1896, and a foot-race from Bordeaux to Paris in 1903.{{r|RanOnt}}


Giffard served as the editor of ''[[Le Petit Journal]]'' and then the sports daily ''[[Le Vélo]]'', where his passionate support for [[Alfred Dreyfus]] and thus his opposition to the car-maker Comte [[Jules-Albert de Dion]] over the whole [[Dreyfus affair]] led de Dion to create a rival daily, ''[[L'Auto]]'', which in turn created the [[Tour de France]] cycle race.
Giffard served as the editor of ''[[Le Petit Journal (newspaper)|Le Petit Journal]]'' and then the sports daily ''[[Le Vélo]]'', where his passionate support for [[Alfred Dreyfus]] and thus his opposition to the car-maker Comte [[Jules-Albert de Dion]] over the whole [[Dreyfus affair]] led de Dion to create a rival daily, ''[[L'Auto]]'', which in turn created the [[Tour de France]] cycle race.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Pierre Giffard's father was a lawyer and mayor in [[Fontaine-le-Dun]]. Pierre was taught from the age of six by Father Biville at [[Saint-Laurent-en-Caux]] and from eight at the [[Lycée Pierre Corneille (Rouen)|Lycée Pierre Corneille]] in [[Rouen]]. He completed his schooling in [[Paris]], at the Lycée Charlemagne in the Marais district. It was there that he developed his republican ideas.
Pierre Giffard's father was a lawyer and mayor in [[Fontaine-le-Dun]]. Pierre was taught from the age of six by Father Biville at [[Saint-Laurent-en-Caux]] and from eight at the [[Lycée Pierre Corneille (Rouen)|Lycée Pierre Corneille]] in [[Rouen]]. He completed his schooling in [[Paris]], at the Lycée Charlemagne in the Marais district. It was there that he developed his republican ideas.


The [[Franco-Prussian War]] started in 1870 and Giffard enrolled in the army, with his parents' reluctant permission, at [[Fontaine-le-Dun]] in [[Haute-Normandie]]. He joined the reserve army in November at [[Le Havre]]. There, following the custom of the time, he was made an officer. He became a lieutenant on 10 December 1870. At the end of the war he resumed his studies at [[Douai]], where he gained a university degree in August 1871.
The [[Franco-Prussian War]] started in 1870 and Giffard enrolled in the army, with his parents' reluctant permission, at [[Fontaine-le-Dun]] in [[Normandy]]. He joined the reserve army in November at [[Le Havre]]. There, following the custom of the time, he was made an officer. He became a lieutenant on 10 December 1870. At the end of the war he resumed his studies at [[Douai]], where he gained a university degree in August 1871.


Giffard's father died on 1 August 1872, and Giffard moved to Paris to work as a journalist.
Giffard's father died on 1 August 1872, and Giffard moved to Paris to work as a journalist.


==Journalism==
==Journalism==
Giffard had a long and successful career in journalism. Between 1873 and 1878 he worked for ''Le Corsaire'', ''L'Evénement'', ''[[La France (French newspaper)|La France]]'', ''[[Le Gaulois]]'', ''[[Le Petit Parisien]]'', ''La Lanterne'' and finally ''[[Le Figaro]]''. He then assumed editorship of ''[[Le Petit Journal]]'' in 1887 and of the sports daily ''[[Le Vélo]]'' in 1896.
Giffard had a long and successful career in journalism. Between 1873 and 1878 he worked for ''Le Corsaire'', ''L'Evénement'', ''[[La France (French newspaper)|La France]]'', ''[[Le Gaulois]]'', ''[[Le Petit Parisien]]'', ''La Lanterne'' and finally ''[[Le Figaro]]''. He then assumed editorship of ''[[Le Petit Journal (newspaper)|Le Petit Journal]]'' in 1887 and of the sports daily ''[[Le Vélo]]'' in 1896.


After an abortive election attempt in 1900 Giffard returned to full-time journalism at ''Le Vélo'' until its demise in 1904. He then joined ''Matin'', which sent him to the Far East to cover the Russia-Japan war. He returned to Paris in July 1904, weakened by illness, and proceeded to work for several papers, including ''Dépêche Coloniale'' and ''[[Le Petit Marseillais|Petit Marseillais]]''. In June 1906, now one of the senior journalists of France, he went back to ''Le Figaro'' and reported the first meeting of the Russian parliament. In 1910 Giffard was employed by his arch-rival [[Henri Desgrange]] writing for ''[[L'Auto]]'' until retirement.{{r|VelArc}}
After an abortive election attempt in 1900 Giffard returned to full-time journalism at ''Le Vélo'' until its demise in 1904. He then joined ''Matin'', which sent him to the Far East to cover the Russia-Japan war. He returned to Paris in July 1904, weakened by illness, and proceeded to work for several papers, including ''Dépêche Coloniale'' and ''[[Le Petit Marseillais|Petit Marseillais]]''. In June 1906, now one of the senior journalists of France, he went back to ''Le Figaro'' and reported the first meeting of the Russian parliament. In 1910 Giffard was employed by his arch-rival [[Henri Desgrange]] writing for ''[[L'Auto]]'' until retirement.{{r|VelArc}}
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===''Le Figaro''===
===''Le Figaro''===


Giffard joined ''[[Le Figaro]]'' on the strength of his reports of the World Exhibition in Paris and of conferences he organised there concerning the invention of the telephone and telegraph. He reported from Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece, Austria, Scotland, Algeria, Tunisia, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Holland and Denmark. He reported on the attack by French troops on [[Cheikh Bouamama]] [[:fr:Cheikh Bouamama]] in [[Algeria]] and the taking of [[Sfax]] in [[Tunisia]], and the arrival of the British fleet at [[Alexandria]] and the departure of the French navy.
Giffard joined ''[[Le Figaro]]'' on the strength of his reports of the World Exhibition in Paris and of conferences he organised there concerning the invention of the telephone and telegraph. He reported from Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece, Austria, Scotland, Algeria, Tunisia, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark. He reported on the attack by French troops on [[Cheikh Bouamama]] [[:fr:Cheikh Bouamama]] in [[Algeria]] and the taking of [[Sfax]] in [[Tunisia]], and the arrival of the British fleet at [[Alexandria]] and the departure of the French navy.


In June 1906, he went back to ''Le Figaro'' and reported the first meeting of the [[Russian parliament]], the [[State Duma|Douma]].
In June 1906, he went back to ''Le Figaro'' and reported the first meeting of the [[Russian parliament]], the [[State Duma|Douma]].
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===''Le Petit Journal''===
===''Le Petit Journal''===


Hippolyte Auguste Marinoni{{r|Marinon}}{{r|Marinoni|group=Note}} asked Giffard to reorganise the newsroom of the daily paper, ''[[Le Petit Journal]]''. He began work on 1 October 1887. There he started a diary which, in the tradition of the paper, he signed with a pseudonym: Jean-sans-Terre. He stayed at the paper for 10 years. In 1891 he organised the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] bicycle race for the newspaper, followed by the Paris–Belfort running race. In 1892, he was appointed a member of the [[Légion d'Honneur]], and in 1900 he was appointed as an officer.
[[Hippolyte Auguste Marinoni]]{{r|Marinon}}{{r|Marinoni|group=Note}} asked Giffard to reorganise the newsroom of the daily paper, ''[[Le Petit Journal (newspaper)|Le Petit Journal]]''. He began work on 1 October 1887. There he started a diary which, in the tradition of the paper, he signed with a pseudonym: Jean-sans-Terre. He stayed at the paper for 10 years. In 1891 he organised the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] bicycle race for the newspaper, followed by the Paris–Belfort running race. In 1892, he was appointed a member of the [[Légion d'Honneur]], and in 1900 he was appointed as an officer.


===Le Vélo===
==={{anchor|Le Vélo}}Le Vélo===


In 1896, he joined his colleague Paul Rousseau at the head of the newspaper, ''[[Le Vélo]]'', where he wrote under the name ''Arator''. There on 19 July 1896 he organised the first Paris marathon and helped found the [[Automobile Club de France]].
In 1896, he joined his colleague Paul Rousseau at the head of the newspaper, ''[[Le Vélo]]'', where he wrote under the name ''Arator''. There on 19 July 1896 he organised the first Paris marathon and helped found the [[Automobile Club de France]].


In 1900 he threw the paper in support of [[Alfred Dreyfus]] in the [[Dreyfus affair]]. France was divided over the justice of his trial for selling military secrets to the Germans. The paper's largest advertisers, anti-Dreyfusards such as Count [[Jules-Albert de Dion]], [[Adolphe Clément]] and [[Édouard Michelin]] believed Dreyfus guilty and removed their advertising from the paper. They then launched a rival paper, at first called L'Auto-Vélo and then simply [[L'Auto]].
In 1900 he threw the paper in support of [[Alfred Dreyfus]] in the [[Dreyfus affair]]. France was divided over the justice of his trial for selling military secrets to the Germans. The paper's largest advertisers, anti-Dreyfusards such as Count [[Jules-Albert de Dion]], [[Adolphe Clément]] and [[Édouard Michelin (born 1859)|Édouard Michelin]] believed Dreyfus guilty and removed their advertising from the paper. They then launched a rival paper, at first called L'Auto-Vélo and then simply [[L'Auto]].


A circulation war broke out between the two papers. Le Vélo's biggest publicity stunts included staging a second edition of the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] cycle-race in 1901, that he had created in 1891. ''L'Auto's'' response came on 19 December 1902, when [[Géo Lefèvre]] suggested a [[Tour de France]] which was an overwhelming circulation success in 1903. ''Le Vélo'''s response in 1903 was a running-race from Bordeaux to Paris, but it was too late.{{r|RanOnt}} ''Le Vélo'' disappeared in 1904 and Giffard eventually joined Desgrange's staff at ''L'Auto''.{{r|Equipe 16 October 2000}}
A circulation war broke out between the two papers. Le Vélo's biggest publicity stunts included staging a second edition of the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] cycle-race in 1901, that he had created in 1891. ''L'Auto's'' response came on 19 December 1902, when [[Géo Lefèvre]] suggested a [[Tour de France]] which was an overwhelming circulation success in 1903. ''Le Vélo'''s response in 1903 was a running-race from Bordeaux to Paris, but it was too late.{{r|RanOnt}} ''Le Vélo'' disappeared in 1904 and Giffard eventually joined Desgrange's staff at ''L'Auto''.{{r|Equipe 16 October 2000}}
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===Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race===
===Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race===


Giffard created the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] cycle race in 1891, although it was promoted as ''Paris–Brest et retour'' in his editorials which he signed ''"Jean-sans-Terre"''. It is now established as the oldest long-distance cycling road event. ''Le Petit Journal'' described it as an "épreuve," a test of the bicycle's reliability and the rider's endurance. Riders were fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food and clothing and riding the same bicycle for the duration. The public response to his articles was so phenomenal that he had to change the rules and start charging 5 francs entrance, as 300 riders including 7 women signed up, although the women were later refused entrance. Each bicycle was given an 'official seal' at a 2 day ceremony in front of the offices of ''Le Petit Journal''. The 280 sealed machines included 10 [[tricycle]]s, 2 [[Tandem bicycle]]s, and 1 [[Penny-farthing]].{{r|Ahands}}
Giffard created the [[Paris–Brest–Paris]] cycle race in 1891, although it was promoted as ''Paris–Brest et retour'' in his editorials which he signed ''"Jean-sans-Terre"''. It is now established as the oldest long-distance cycling road event. ''Le Petit Journal'' described it as an "épreuve," a test of the bicycle's reliability and the rider's endurance. Riders were fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food and clothing and riding the same bicycle for the duration. The public response to his articles was so phenomenal that he had to change the rules and start charging 5 francs entrance, as 300 riders including 7 women signed up, although the women were later refused entrance. Each bicycle was given an 'official seal' at a two-day ceremony in front of the offices of ''Le Petit Journal''. The 280 sealed machines included 10 [[tricycle]]s, 2 [[Tandem bicycle]]s, and 1 [[Penny-farthing]].{{r|Ahands}}


Participation was restricted to Frenchmen{{r|Ahands}} and 99 of the 207 (or 280{{r|Ahands}}) participants finished. [[Michelin]]'s [[Charles Terront]] won in 71 hours 22 minutes after passing [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]]'s Jiel-Laval as he slept during the third night. Both had suffered punctures in their pneumatic tyres, but still enjoyed an advantage over riders on solid tires.
Participation was restricted to Frenchmen{{r|Ahands}} and 99 of the 207 (or 280{{r|Ahands}}) participants finished. [[Michelin]]'s [[Charles Terront]] won in 71 hours 22 minutes after passing [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]]'s Jiel-Laval as he slept during the third night. Both had suffered punctures in their pneumatic tyres, but still enjoyed an advantage over riders on solid tires.
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===Paris–Belfort running race===
===Paris–Belfort running race===


On 5 June 1892,{{r|RanOnt}} Giffard organised a foot-race from Paris to Belfort, a course of over 380 kilometers, the first large scale long distance running race on record. Over 1,100 competitors registered for the event and over 800 started from the offices of ''Le Petit Journal'', at [[Place de l'Opéra|Paris Opera]]. This had also been the start point for the inaugural Paris–Brest–Paris cycle-race the previous year.{{r|RanOnt}} Newspaper circulation dramatically increased as the French public followed the progress of race participants, 380 of whom completed the course in under 10 days. In ''Le Petit Journal'' on 18 June 1892, Giffard praised the event as a model for the physical training of a nation faced by hostile neighbours.{{r|RanOnt}} The event was won by Constant Ramoge in 100 hours 5 minutes.{{r|Ultra}}
On 5 June 1892,{{r|RanOnt}} Giffard organised a foot-race from Paris to Belfort, a course of over 380 kilometers, the first large scale long-distance running race on record. Over 1,100 competitors registered for the event and over 800 started from the offices of ''Le Petit Journal'', at [[Place de l'Opéra|Paris Opera]]. This had also been the start point for the inaugural Paris–Brest–Paris cycle-race the previous year.{{r|RanOnt}} Newspaper circulation dramatically increased as the French public followed the progress of race participants, 380 of whom completed the course in under 10 days. In ''Le Petit Journal'' on 18 June 1892, Giffard praised the event as a model for the physical training of a nation faced by hostile neighbours.{{r|RanOnt}} The event was won by Constant Ramoge in 100 hours 5 minutes.{{r|Ultra}}


{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}
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===Paris–Rouen, world's first motorcar race===
===Paris–Rouen, world's first motorcar race===


[[Image:1894 paris-rouen - georges lemaître (peugeot 3hp) 1st.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Georges Lemaître classified 1st in his Peugeot 3hp]]
[[Image:1894 paris-rouen - albert lemaître (peugeot 3hp) 1st.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Georges Lemaître classified 1st in his Peugeot 3hp]]
In 1894, when Giffard was editor in chief of newspaper ''[[Le Petit Journal]]'', he organised what is considered to be the world's first car race from [[Paris–Rouen (motor race)|Paris to Rouen]],{{r|First race|group=Note}} sporting events were a tried and tested form of publicity stunt and circulation booster. The paper promoted it as a ''Competition for Horeseless Carriages'' (Concours des Voitures sans Chevaux) that were ''not dangerous, easy to drive, and cheap during the journey''. Thus it blurred the distinctions between a reliability trial, a general event and a race, but the main prize was for the first across the finish line in Rouen. 102 people paid the 10 franc entrance fee.{{r|8W}}
In 1894, when Giffard was editor in chief of newspaper ''[[Le Petit Journal (newspaper)|Le Petit Journal]]'', he organised what is considered to be the world's first car race from [[Paris–Rouen (motor race)|Paris to Rouen]],{{r|First race|group=Note}} sporting events were a tried and tested form of publicity stunt and circulation booster. The paper promoted it as a ''Competition for Horeseless Carriages'' (Concours des Voitures sans Chevaux) that were ''not dangerous, easy to drive, and cheap during the journey''. Thus it blurred the distinctions between a reliability trial, a general event and a race, but the main prize was for the first across the finish line in Rouen. 102 people paid the 10 franc entrance fee.{{r|8W}}


On 22 July 1894, 69 cars started the 50&nbsp;km selection event that would show which entrants would be allowed to start the main event, the 127&nbsp;km race from Paris to Rouen. The entrants ranged from serious manufacturers like [[Peugeot]], [[Panhard]] or [[de Dion-Bouton|De Dion]] to amateur owners, and only 25 were selected for the main race.{{r|8W}}
On 22 July 1894, 69 cars started the 50&nbsp;km selection event that would show which entrants would be allowed to start the main event, the 127&nbsp;km race from Paris to Rouen. The entrants ranged from serious manufacturers like [[Peugeot]], [[Panhard]] or [[de Dion-Bouton|De Dion]] to amateur owners, and only 25 were selected for the main race.{{r|8W}}


The race started from [[Porte Maillot]] and went through the [[Bois de Boulogne]]. Count [[Jules-Albert de Dion]] was first into Rouen after 6 hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 19km/h. He finished 3’30” ahead of Georges Lemaître ([[Peugeot]]), followed by Doriot ([[Peugeot]]) at 16’30”, [[René Panhard]] ([[Panhard]]) at 33’30’’ and [[Émile Levassor]] (Panhard) at 55’30”. The official winners were Peugeot and Panhard as cars were judged on their speed, handling and safety characteristics, and De Dion's steam car needed a stoker which was forbidden.{{r|8W}}
The race started from [[Porte Maillot]] and went through the [[Bois de Boulogne]]. Count [[Jules-Albert de Dion]] was first into Rouen after 6 hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 19&nbsp;km/h. He finished 3’30" ahead of [[Albert Lemaître]] ([[Peugeot]]), followed by Doriot ([[Peugeot]]) at 16’30", [[René Panhard]] ([[Panhard]]) at 33’30’’ and [[Émile Levassor]] (Panhard) at 55’30”. The official winners were Peugeot and Panhard as cars were judged on their speed, handling and safety characteristics, and De Dion's steam car needed a stoker which was forbidden.{{r|8W}}


===Paris Marathon===
===Paris Marathon===
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===''La Guerre Infernale''===
===''La Guerre Infernale''===


''La Guerre Infernale'' was an adventure novel for children, published as a serial, an edition appearing every Saturday. The 520 illustrations were created by Albert Robida.{{r|Giff 1}} It described the second world war, years before it happened, describing an attack on [[London]] by the Germans and war between [[Japan]] and the [[United States]]. It was subsequently republished as a book.
''La Guerre Infernale'' was an adventure novel for children, published as a serial, an edition appearing every Saturday.<ref>{{Citation|last=Iannuzzi|first=Giulia|title=The Cruel Imagination: Oriental Tortures from a Future Past in Albert Robida's Illustrations for La Guerre infernale (1908)|date=2017|url=https://www.openstarts.units.it/handle/10077/15718|publisher=EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste|language=en|isbn=9788883038426|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref> The 520 illustrations were created by Albert Robida.{{r|Giff 1}} It described a world war, years before it happened, describing an attack on [[London]] by the Germans and war between [[Japan]] and the [[United States]]. It was subsequently republished as a book.


==Politics==
==Politics==
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==Death, honours and commemoration==
==Death, honours and commemoration==
In 1892, Giffard was appointed 'Chevalier' (Knight) of the [[Légion d'Honneur]] and in 1900 he was appointed an 'Officier' (Officer) of the Légion d'Honneur.
In 1892, Giffard was appointed 'Chevalier' (Knight) of the [[Légion d'Honneur]] and in September 1900, at the Paris Exposition, he was appointed an 'Officier' (Officer) of the Légion d'Honneur.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/bic412442131900281901newy/bic412442131900281901newy_djvu.txt "The Bicycling world and motorcycle review", September 1900, Paris Exposition Honours]</ref>


He died on 21 January 1922 at his home in [[Maisons-Laffitte]] where he had lived since 1883.
He died on 21 January 1922 at his home in [[Maisons-Laffitte]] where he had lived since 1883.


The rue de Pierre Giffard in the Paris suburb of [[Saint-Denis]] is named in his honour.
The rue de Pierre Giffard in the Paris suburb of [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]] is named in his honour.


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note|refs=
{{Reflist|group=Note|refs=


<ref name="Auteuil">In 1899 at the [[Auteuil-Neuilly-Passy|Auteuil]] horse-race course in Paris, the [[Émile Loubet|President of France (Émile Loubet)]] was struck on the head by a '[[walking stick]]' wielded by the [[Jules-Albert de Dion|Comte Albert de Dion]], who subsequently served 15 days in gaol.</ref>
<ref name="Auteuil">In 1899 at the [[Auteuil, Paris|Auteuil]] horse-race course in Paris, the [[Émile Loubet|President of France (Émile Loubet)]] was struck on the head by a '[[walking stick]]' wielded by the [[Jules-Albert de Dion|Comte Albert de Dion]], who subsequently served 15 days in gaol.</ref>


<ref name="First race">A previous motoring event had been held in 1887 but received only a single entrant. [[Georges Bouton]] and his passenger the Comte [[Jules-Albert de Dion]] had completed the 2 mile drive from the [[Bois de Boulogne]] to Porte Maillot in a steam powered vehicle of their own manufacture, the genesis of the [[De Dion-Bouton]].</ref>
<ref name="First race">A previous motoring event had been held in 1887 but received only a single entrant. [[Georges Bouton]] and his passenger the Comte [[Jules-Albert de Dion]] had completed the 2 mile drive from the [[Bois de Boulogne]] to Porte Maillot in a steam powered vehicle of their own manufacture, the genesis of the [[De Dion-Bouton]].</ref>
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=


<ref name="Ahands">[http://www.ahands.org/cycling/pbp2003/history.html A Hands - A short history of Paris Brest Paris by Gary Smith]</ref>
<ref name="Ahands">[http://www.ahands.org/cycling/pbp2003/history.html A Hands - A short history of Paris Brest Paris by Gary Smith] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404082350/http://www.ahands.org/cycling/pbp2003/history.html |date=4 April 2009 }}</ref>


<ref name="8W">[http://forix.autosport.com/8w/bdb.html Forix, Autosport, 8W - Welcome to Who? What? Where? When? Why? on the World Wide Web. ''The cradle of motorsport'' by Rémi Paolozzi, May 28, 2003]</ref>
<ref name="8W">[http://forix.autosport.com/8w/bdb.html Forix, Autosport, 8W - Welcome to Who? What? Where? When? Why? on the World Wide Web. ''The cradle of motorsport'' by Rémi Paolozzi, May 28, 2003]</ref>
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<ref name="Equipe 16 October 2000">l'Equipe le 16 October 2000, Jacques Marchand</ref>
<ref name="Equipe 16 October 2000">l'Equipe le 16 October 2000, Jacques Marchand</ref>


<ref name="Fin du Chev">[http://www.antiqbook.co.uk/boox/toby/5371.shtml GIFFARD, PIERRE. La Fin du Cheval. Illustrations by A. Robida.Paris, Armand Colin. 1899. Decorative Cloth. Tall quarto. 238pp. col. plates, b/w. illus.]</ref>
<ref name="Fin du Chev">[http://www.antiqbook.co.uk/boox/toby/5371.shtml GIFFARD, PIERRE. La Fin du Cheval. Illustrations by A. Robida. Paris, Armand Colin. 1899. Decorative Cloth. Tall quarto. 238pp. col. plates, b/w. illus.]</ref>


<ref name="Fonled">Commune de [[Fontaine-le-Dun]]</ref>
<ref name="Fonled">Commune de [[Fontaine-le-Dun]]</ref>
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<ref name="RuntP">[http://www.runtheplanet.com/resources/historical/basques.asp Run the planet, historical races, 1903 Bordeaux-Paris]</ref>
<ref name="RuntP">[http://www.runtheplanet.com/resources/historical/basques.asp Run the planet, historical races, 1903 Bordeaux-Paris]</ref>


<ref name="Seldon Sears p160">[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vxxOw3FvOgwC&pg=PA160&lpg=PA160&dq=%22Len+Hurst%22&source=bl&ots=uZMMRY-SoV&sig=3434r8jpnQVAP9EcjmNwi9lFnsk&hl=en&ei=RHzrSoS2CYKhjAf5yP2nDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBwQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22Len%20Hurst%22&f=false Running through the ages By Edward Seldon Sears, p160]</ref>
<ref name="Seldon Sears p160">[https://books.google.com/books?id=vxxOw3FvOgwC&dq=%22Len+Hurst%22&pg=PA160 Running through the ages By Edward Seldon Sears, p160]</ref>


<ref name="Ultra">[http://www.ultrawalking.net/historia/historiamarcha.html La Marcha De Gran Fondo:Entre La Competicion Y El desafio, By Bernardo José Mora]</ref>
<ref name="Ultra">[http://www.ultrawalking.net/historia/historiamarcha.html La Marcha De Gran Fondo:Entre La Competicion Y El desafio, By Bernardo José Mora]</ref>
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
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| NAME =Giffard, Pierre

| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =1 May 1853
| PLACE OF BIRTH =[[Fontaine-le-Dun]], [[Seine-Maritime]], France
| DATE OF DEATH =21 January 1922
| PLACE OF DEATH =[[Maisons-Laffitte]]
}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Giffard, Pierre}}
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[[Category:19th-century French newspaper publishers (people)]]
[[Category:20th-century French newspaper publishers (people)]]
[[Category:Cycling journalists]]
[[Category:Cycling journalists]]
[[Category:Officiers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Cycling writers]]
[[Category:Officers of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Lycée Pierre-Corneille alumni]]
[[Category:Lycée Pierre-Corneille alumni]]
[[Category:French male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Le Figaro people]]

Latest revision as of 22:43, 21 June 2023

Pierre Giffard
Pierre Giffard
Born(1853-05-01)1 May 1853
Fontaine-le-Dun, Seine-Maritime, France
Died21 January 1922(1922-01-21) (aged 68)
Maisons-Laffitte
NationalityFrench
Other namesArator at Le Vélo
Jean-sans-Terre at Le Petit Journal
Occupation(s)Journalist, editor, historian, author, politician

Pierre Giffard (1 May 1853 – 21 January 1922) was a French journalist, a pioneer of modern political reporting, a newspaper publisher and a prolific sports organiser. In 1892, he was appointed Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'Honneur and in 1900 he was appointed an Officier (Officer) of the Légion d'Honneur.

Parisian newspapers used sporting events as circulation aids, and Giffard created the Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race in 1891, the 380 kilometre Paris–Belfort running race in 1892,[1] the world's first car race from Paris to Rouen in 1894,[2] the Paris Marathon in 1896, and a foot-race from Bordeaux to Paris in 1903.[1]

Giffard served as the editor of Le Petit Journal and then the sports daily Le Vélo, where his passionate support for Alfred Dreyfus and thus his opposition to the car-maker Comte Jules-Albert de Dion over the whole Dreyfus affair led de Dion to create a rival daily, L'Auto, which in turn created the Tour de France cycle race.

Early life[edit]

Pierre Giffard's father was a lawyer and mayor in Fontaine-le-Dun. Pierre was taught from the age of six by Father Biville at Saint-Laurent-en-Caux and from eight at the Lycée Pierre Corneille in Rouen. He completed his schooling in Paris, at the Lycée Charlemagne in the Marais district. It was there that he developed his republican ideas.

The Franco-Prussian War started in 1870 and Giffard enrolled in the army, with his parents' reluctant permission, at Fontaine-le-Dun in Normandy. He joined the reserve army in November at Le Havre. There, following the custom of the time, he was made an officer. He became a lieutenant on 10 December 1870. At the end of the war he resumed his studies at Douai, where he gained a university degree in August 1871.

Giffard's father died on 1 August 1872, and Giffard moved to Paris to work as a journalist.

Journalism[edit]

Giffard had a long and successful career in journalism. Between 1873 and 1878 he worked for Le Corsaire, L'Evénement, La France, Le Gaulois, Le Petit Parisien, La Lanterne and finally Le Figaro. He then assumed editorship of Le Petit Journal in 1887 and of the sports daily Le Vélo in 1896.

After an abortive election attempt in 1900 Giffard returned to full-time journalism at Le Vélo until its demise in 1904. He then joined Matin, which sent him to the Far East to cover the Russia-Japan war. He returned to Paris in July 1904, weakened by illness, and proceeded to work for several papers, including Dépêche Coloniale and Petit Marseillais. In June 1906, now one of the senior journalists of France, he went back to Le Figaro and reported the first meeting of the Russian parliament. In 1910 Giffard was employed by his arch-rival Henri Desgrange writing for L'Auto until retirement.[3]

Le Figaro[edit]

Giffard joined Le Figaro on the strength of his reports of the World Exhibition in Paris and of conferences he organised there concerning the invention of the telephone and telegraph. He reported from Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece, Austria, Scotland, Algeria, Tunisia, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark. He reported on the attack by French troops on Cheikh Bouamama fr:Cheikh Bouamama in Algeria and the taking of Sfax in Tunisia, and the arrival of the British fleet at Alexandria and the departure of the French navy.

In June 1906, he went back to Le Figaro and reported the first meeting of the Russian parliament, the Douma.

Le Petit Journal
by Konstantin Stoitzner.
10 October 1891. The suicide of Georges Boulanger in Ixelles Cemetery.

Le Petit Journal[edit]

Hippolyte Auguste Marinoni[4][Note 1] asked Giffard to reorganise the newsroom of the daily paper, Le Petit Journal. He began work on 1 October 1887. There he started a diary which, in the tradition of the paper, he signed with a pseudonym: Jean-sans-Terre. He stayed at the paper for 10 years. In 1891 he organised the Paris–Brest–Paris bicycle race for the newspaper, followed by the Paris–Belfort running race. In 1892, he was appointed a member of the Légion d'Honneur, and in 1900 he was appointed as an officer.

Le Vélo[edit]

In 1896, he joined his colleague Paul Rousseau at the head of the newspaper, Le Vélo, where he wrote under the name Arator. There on 19 July 1896 he organised the first Paris marathon and helped found the Automobile Club de France.

In 1900 he threw the paper in support of Alfred Dreyfus in the Dreyfus affair. France was divided over the justice of his trial for selling military secrets to the Germans. The paper's largest advertisers, anti-Dreyfusards such as Count Jules-Albert de Dion, Adolphe Clément and Édouard Michelin believed Dreyfus guilty and removed their advertising from the paper. They then launched a rival paper, at first called L'Auto-Vélo and then simply L'Auto.

A circulation war broke out between the two papers. Le Vélo's biggest publicity stunts included staging a second edition of the Paris–Brest–Paris cycle-race in 1901, that he had created in 1891. L'Auto's response came on 19 December 1902, when Géo Lefèvre suggested a Tour de France which was an overwhelming circulation success in 1903. Le Vélo's response in 1903 was a running-race from Bordeaux to Paris, but it was too late.[1] Le Vélo disappeared in 1904 and Giffard eventually joined Desgrange's staff at L'Auto.[5]

Events organiser[edit]

Special 'Paris–Belfort' edition of Le Petit Journal from 18 June 1892

Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race[edit]

Giffard created the Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race in 1891, although it was promoted as Paris–Brest et retour in his editorials which he signed "Jean-sans-Terre". It is now established as the oldest long-distance cycling road event. Le Petit Journal described it as an "épreuve," a test of the bicycle's reliability and the rider's endurance. Riders were fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food and clothing and riding the same bicycle for the duration. The public response to his articles was so phenomenal that he had to change the rules and start charging 5 francs entrance, as 300 riders including 7 women signed up, although the women were later refused entrance. Each bicycle was given an 'official seal' at a two-day ceremony in front of the offices of Le Petit Journal. The 280 sealed machines included 10 tricycles, 2 Tandem bicycles, and 1 Penny-farthing.[6]

Participation was restricted to Frenchmen[6] and 99 of the 207 (or 280[6]) participants finished. Michelin's Charles Terront won in 71 hours 22 minutes after passing Dunlop's Jiel-Laval as he slept during the third night. Both had suffered punctures in their pneumatic tyres, but still enjoyed an advantage over riders on solid tires.

The first race was a coup for Le Petit Journal and the organisers decided to run it every ten years. The second race in 1901 was again organised by Giffard but on behalf of Le Vélo.

Paris–Belfort running race[edit]

On 5 June 1892,[1] Giffard organised a foot-race from Paris to Belfort, a course of over 380 kilometers, the first large scale long-distance running race on record. Over 1,100 competitors registered for the event and over 800 started from the offices of Le Petit Journal, at Paris Opera. This had also been the start point for the inaugural Paris–Brest–Paris cycle-race the previous year.[1] Newspaper circulation dramatically increased as the French public followed the progress of race participants, 380 of whom completed the course in under 10 days. In Le Petit Journal on 18 June 1892, Giffard praised the event as a model for the physical training of a nation faced by hostile neighbours.[1] The event was won by Constant Ramoge in 100 hours 5 minutes.[7]

Paris–Rouen, world's first motorcar race[edit]

Georges Lemaître classified 1st in his Peugeot 3hp

In 1894, when Giffard was editor in chief of newspaper Le Petit Journal, he organised what is considered to be the world's first car race from Paris to Rouen,[Note 2] sporting events were a tried and tested form of publicity stunt and circulation booster. The paper promoted it as a Competition for Horeseless Carriages (Concours des Voitures sans Chevaux) that were not dangerous, easy to drive, and cheap during the journey. Thus it blurred the distinctions between a reliability trial, a general event and a race, but the main prize was for the first across the finish line in Rouen. 102 people paid the 10 franc entrance fee.[2]

On 22 July 1894, 69 cars started the 50 km selection event that would show which entrants would be allowed to start the main event, the 127 km race from Paris to Rouen. The entrants ranged from serious manufacturers like Peugeot, Panhard or De Dion to amateur owners, and only 25 were selected for the main race.[2]

The race started from Porte Maillot and went through the Bois de Boulogne. Count Jules-Albert de Dion was first into Rouen after 6 hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 19 km/h. He finished 3’30" ahead of Albert Lemaître (Peugeot), followed by Doriot (Peugeot) at 16’30", René Panhard (Panhard) at 33’30’’ and Émile Levassor (Panhard) at 55’30”. The official winners were Peugeot and Panhard as cars were judged on their speed, handling and safety characteristics, and De Dion's steam car needed a stoker which was forbidden.[2]

Paris Marathon[edit]

On 18 July 1896 Giffard organised the inaugural Paris Marathon on behalf of Le Petit Journal, although he was editor of Le Vélo, suggesting a cooperative commercial relationship.[1] The event followed on from the success of the marathon in the 1896 inaugural Olympics. Gifford started the race before a large crowd at the Porte Maillot, and it followed a course to Versailles and finished in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. The race and the 200-franc prize were won by Len Hurst, a 24-year-old brick maker from England.[8]

Bordeaux–Paris foot race[edit]

Giffard organised the first foot-race from Bordeaux to Paris in 1903, which was won by Francois Peguet in 114 hours 22 minutes 20 seconds with Emil Anthoine in second place.[1][9]

Books[edit]

Title illustration for La Reine Bicyclette published in 1891

La Reine Bicyclette[edit]

The phrase "la petite reine" has passed into the French language as a term for a bicycle. The origins are in 1891, when Giffard wrote a history of bicycle development, La Reine Bicyclette.[10][11] The expression was made more emblematic by the picture on the cover, of a young woman wearing a modern bicycle as a crown. The title was intended to describe the spirit that the bicycle had brought to her life. Cycling enthusiasts adopted the name, calling their machine "la petite reine".

La Guerre Infernale, Episode 2, January 1908

Le Sieur de Va-Partout[edit]

Le Sieur de Va-Partout was the first French book in a new style, the literature of reporting, and therefore of a new type of author: the writer-reporter.[12]

La Fin du Cheval[edit]

La Fin du Cheval was Giffard's 1899 humorous thesis on the inevitable replacement of the horse by the bicycle, then by the car. It was illustrated by Albert Robida.[13]

La Guerre Infernale[edit]

La Guerre Infernale was an adventure novel for children, published as a serial, an edition appearing every Saturday.[14] The 520 illustrations were created by Albert Robida.[15] It described a world war, years before it happened, describing an attack on London by the Germans and war between Japan and the United States. It was subsequently republished as a book.

Politics[edit]

Bust of Pierre Giffard [16]

Giffard stood in the national election of March 1900, a candidate in the 2nd constituency of Seine-Inférieure (Yvetot). A passionate left wing Dreyfussard, he failed due to the general Dreyfusine rift in French politics, and he was a victim of de Dion's sometimes violent anti-Dreyfussard stance.[Note 3] De Dion had distributed free copies of Giffard's humorous book La Fin du Cheval, claiming it to be Giffard's political program.

Death, honours and commemoration[edit]

In 1892, Giffard was appointed 'Chevalier' (Knight) of the Légion d'Honneur and in September 1900, at the Paris Exposition, he was appointed an 'Officier' (Officer) of the Légion d'Honneur.[17]

He died on 21 January 1922 at his home in Maisons-Laffitte where he had lived since 1883.

The rue de Pierre Giffard in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis is named in his honour.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Hippolyte Auguste Marinoni was known for his invention of the rotary press, although Richard March Hoe patented such a device in 1847.
  2. ^ A previous motoring event had been held in 1887 but received only a single entrant. Georges Bouton and his passenger the Comte Jules-Albert de Dion had completed the 2 mile drive from the Bois de Boulogne to Porte Maillot in a steam powered vehicle of their own manufacture, the genesis of the De Dion-Bouton.
  3. ^ In 1899 at the Auteuil horse-race course in Paris, the President of France (Émile Loubet) was struck on the head by a 'walking stick' wielded by the Comte Albert de Dion, who subsequently served 15 days in gaol.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Randonneurs Ontario, Profile of Pierre Giffard
  2. ^ a b c d Forix, Autosport, 8W - Welcome to Who? What? Where? When? Why? on the World Wide Web. The cradle of motorsport by Rémi Paolozzi, May 28, 2003
  3. ^ VeloArchive, The Origins of the Tour de France
  4. ^ FrWiki Hippolyte Auguste Marinoni
  5. ^ l'Equipe le 16 October 2000, Jacques Marchand
  6. ^ a b c A Hands - A short history of Paris Brest Paris by Gary Smith Archived 4 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ La Marcha De Gran Fondo:Entre La Competicion Y El desafio, By Bernardo José Mora
  8. ^ Running through the ages By Edward Seldon Sears, p160
  9. ^ Run the planet, historical races, 1903 Bordeaux-Paris
  10. ^ Giffard, Pierre 1891: La Reine Bicyclette, Firmin-Didot, 1891
  11. ^ Encyclique - Pierre Giffard. La Reine Bicyclette.
  12. ^ Giffard, Pierre, Le Sieur de Va-Partout, un premier manifeste de la littérature de reportage, Presse et plumes. Journalisme et littérature au XIXe siècle, pub: Nouveau Monde Editions, 2005 (pp 511-521)
  13. ^ GIFFARD, PIERRE. La Fin du Cheval. Illustrations by A. Robida. Paris, Armand Colin. 1899. Decorative Cloth. Tall quarto. 238pp. col. plates, b/w. illus.
  14. ^ Iannuzzi, Giulia (2017), The Cruel Imagination: Oriental Tortures from a Future Past in Albert Robida's Illustrations for La Guerre infernale (1908), EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste, ISBN 9788883038426, retrieved 6 April 2019
  15. ^ Illustrations for La Guerre Infernale
  16. ^ Commune de Fontaine-le-Dun
  17. ^ "The Bicycling world and motorcycle review", September 1900, Paris Exposition Honours
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