Benjamin Hotchkiss

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Hotchkiss cannon, 1874

Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss (* 1. October 1826 in Waterbury , Connecticut ; † 14. February 1885 in Paris ) was an American artillery - engineering .

Life

Benjamin B. Hotchkiss was a son of Asahel Augustus Hotchkiss (1799-1885) and his wife Althea Guernsey (1799-1864). During his childhood his family settled in Sharon, Connecticut , where his father founded a small metal goods factory. In Sharon Hotchkiss made the acquaintance of Maria (1827-1901), a daughter of the politician William Henry Bissell, and married her some time later.

Mitrailleuse Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss took an early interest in technical problems and especially in weapons . In 1859 he delivered rifled guns to the Mexican government. During the Civil War it delivered significant quantities of projectiles . After the victory of the Northern States, Hotchkiss tried to get further government contracts to finance his developments. Since the government showed no interest, Hotchkiss went to France in 1867 without his wife and two children and settled in Viviez ( Aveyron department ). He founded a metal goods factory near Rodez (later Hotchkiss et Cie ). Already in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 this became one of the most important suppliers to the French army. In 1870 the facility was relocated to Paris and in 1875 it was handed over to the French government. Instead, Hotchkiss opened a light artillery and ammunition factory there , which did well.

One of his most famous designs was the 37mm Hotchkiss revolver cannon . In his final years, Hotchkiss was involved in the construction of single-barreled rapid - fire guns .

Hotchkiss died in Paris on February 14, 1885. After his death, the company was continued as a joint stock company Hotchkiss et Cie in Saint-Denis and a branch in England.

literature

  • François Bouloc: La guerre des “marchands de canons” In: Ders .: Les profiteurs de guerre. 1914-1918 . Éditions Complexe, Paris 2008, ISBN 978-2-8048-0152-6 , pp. 291-312.
  • Pierre Fouquet-Hatevilain: Hotchkiss, Paris . Éditions EPA, Paris 1984, ISBN 2-85120-176-X .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Hotchkiss, Benjamin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Hotchkiss, Benjamin Berkeley
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American artillery engineer
DATE OF BIRTH October 1, 1826
PLACE OF BIRTH Waterbury , Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH February 14, 1885
Place of death Paris