Alfred Le Roux
Alfred Le Roux | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Paris, France |
| Died | June 1, 1880 (aged 64) Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Poet, banker, politician |
| Years active | 1842–1877 |
| Known for | Minister of Agriculture and Commerce (1869) |
Alfred Le Roux (11 December 1815 – 1 June 1880) was a multifaceted French figure known for his contributions as a poet, banker, and politician. In 1869, he held the position of Minister of Agriculture and Commerce during the reign of Napoleon III.
Early years
Le Roux was born in Paris into a family engaged in banking. His initial career focus was literature, with the publication of a poetry collection in 1842, followed by the novel Edouard Aubert in 1843, and the short story Henriette featured in Revue des Deux-mondes in 1844. Subsequently, he took charge of his father’s banking enterprise. By 1864, he had secured a directorship at Chemins de fer de l'Ouest and led the Société générale pour le développement du commerce et de l'industrie. As a prominent landowner in the Vendée, he was elected to serve as general counsel for Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm and frequently acted as president of the council.
Political career
Le Roux’s financial backing of Prince Louis Napoleon facilitated his election on 29 February 1852 as the government-endorsed deputy for Vendée's 2nd district. Aligning with the majority that supported the Second French Empire, he actively championed Napoleon’s dynastic aims. Known for his proficiency in economic affairs, he functioned as secretary and budget committee rapporteur. He secured reelection in 1857, 1863, and 1869, holding the vice presidency of the legislative assembly during 1863 and again in June 1869.
On 14 July 1869, amid constitutional changes, Le Roux was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Commerce but left office before Émile Ollivier’s cabinet was established in January 1870. At the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, he advocated for conflict with Prussia and was assigned on 4 September 1870 to counsel General Louis-Jules Trochu regarding safeguarding the imperial regime; however, he considered such efforts futile at that stage.
Later years
After the collapse of the empire, Le Roux withdrew from public affairs. In the elections held on 14 October 1877, he stood as Marshal MacMahon’s official candidate for Fontenay-le-Comte’s 2nd district and was elected deputy representing the right-wing bonapartist faction l'Appel au peuple. Nonetheless, his election was later annulled and he did not regain his seat. He received distinctions as Commander (1864) and Grand Officer (1868) of the Legion of Honour. Through his daughter’s marriage to the Count of la Grange, his family established ties with nobility.
Le Roux passed away in Paris on 1 June 1880.