Charles Louis-Dreyfus

Charles Louis-Dreyfus (August 21, 1870 – July 30, 1929) was a co-director of the commodity distribution and trading company, Louis Dreyfus Group.

Charles Louis-Dreyfus
Born(1870-08-21)August 21, 1870
Zurich
DiedJuly 30, 1929(1929-07-30) (aged 58)
Ville-d'Avray, Paris, France
NationalityFrench
Known forCo-director of Louis Dreyfus Group
Spouse(s)Sarah Germaine Hément
Children4, including Pierre Louis-Dreyfus
Parent(s)Léopold Louis-Dreyfus
Emilie Lang

Biography

Louis-Dreyfus was born in Zurich to a Jewish family, the middle of three sons of Léopold Louis-Dreyfus (1833–1915) and Emilie Lang (1840–1918).[1] His brothers were Louis Louis-Dreyfus (1867–1940) and Robert Louis-Dreyfus (1877–1907).[1] In 1851, his father, the son of a farmer from Alsace, founded the commodity distributor and trader Louis Dreyfus Group growing the business to the point that in 1900, it was the world's largest grain distributor.[2] In 1915, his father died turning over the family company to sons Louis and Charles who served as co-Directors.[2] In 1917, the Louis Dreyfus Group was forced out of Russia by the Russian Revolution[2] catalyzing their international expansion.[3] During World War I, the firm expanded into the maritime arms trade supplying the belligerents to war.[3] In 1924, they expanded to South Africa and in the 20s and 30s built up their own shipping company, LD Lines. Known as the "King of Wheat," the Dreyfus Group dominated the grain trade through the Great Depression and up to the outbreak of World War II[3] purchasing grain at low cost in producing countries and selling at a higher price in countries that had shortages.[3]

Louis-Dreyfus and his brother were shareholders in the French Communist paper l'Humanité.[3]

The Legion of Honour was bestowed on him by the French government in 1923.[4]

Death

Louis-Dreyfus died at his home in the Paris suburb of Ville-d'Avray on July 30, 1929.[4][5]

Personal life

In 1904 he married Sarah Germaine Hément (1882-1964); they had four children: Eliane Heilbronn (1906–1995), Pierre Louis-Dreyfus (1908–2011), François Louis-Dreyfus (1909–1958), and Arlette Louis-Dreyfus (1911–2001). After Louis-Dreyfus's death in 1929, his brother Louis took over the family company.[3][6]

References
  1. The Cyclopedia of India: biographical, historical, administrative, commercial retrieved August 16, 2013
  2. Funding Universe: "Groupe Louis Dreyfus S.A. History" retrieved August 16, 2013
  3. Callil, By Carmen Bad Faith: A Forgotten History of Family, Fatherland and Vichy France
  4. Brisbane Courier - August 2, 1929, Page 19 Trove
  5. Charles Louis-dreyfus, French Banker, Dies Jewish Telegraphic Agency
  6. LD Commodites website: "Our heritage" Archived 2013-07-29 at the Wayback Machine retrieved August 17, 2013
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