Louis Armand (engineer)

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Louis Armand (born January 17, 1905 in Cruseilles , † August 30, 1971 in Villers-sur-Mer ) was a French mining engineer, railroad worker and President of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).

Louis Armand graduated as a mining engineer and joined the French railway company PLM, later SNCF , in 1934 . During the German occupation in World War II, he supported the Resistance specifically in the area of ​​the railroad (the so-called Résistance-Fer). In June 1944 he was arrested by the occupying forces, but released after negotiations.

After the end of the war, he had a rapid career at the SNCF, of which he was General Manager from 1955 to 1958. He tackled the further electrification of the French railway network with the then new traction current system (25 kV, 50 Hz) and strongly promoted this system. He also supported the establishment of the 50 Hz working group to disseminate the system abroad, thereby creating new sales markets for the French rail industry.

After having played a decisive role in the preparation of the treaties, he was the first President of EURATOM until 1959.

Armand has received many awards. He was a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor , holder of the Ordre de la Liberation and the Medal of Freedom . Since 1963 he was a member of the Académie française .

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personal data
SURNAME Armand, Louis
BRIEF DESCRIPTION French politician
DATE OF BIRTH January 17, 1905
PLACE OF BIRTH Cruseilles
DATE OF DEATH August 30, 1971
Place of death Villers-sur-Mer