EXPO2000 ::The Paris World Exposition 1867::

Frédéric Le Play, Commissioner General of the Exposition

Frédéric Le Play can be considered to be the true creator of the exposition. Le Play (1806-1882) – educated to be a mining and metallurgical engineer – had since his years as a youth made active efforts to assess and improve industrial structures in France and parts of Europe. He carried out extensive investigations of social structures which he published in his book on the situation of European workers. After he had taken over the organisation of the first World Exposition in Paris in 1855, he published his main work in the subsequent years – Social reform in France. Finally, he was commissioned with the setting up of the French section at the World Exposition in London in 1862.

Michel Chevalier, the President of the International Jury

The most important partner in the organisation team of 1867 was Michel Chevalier, the President of the International Jury. Chevalier and Le Play led virtually parallel lives. They were not only born in the same year and both educated at the École polytechnique, but also together progressed through their career phases in the imperial functionary set-up. Le Play thought in the Catholic tradition and was open to conservative ideas. Chevalier was Professor of political economy at the Collège de France and therefore the official interpreter of the French doctrine of economic liberalism. In 1860, he had negotiated the free trade agreement with Great Britain and had afterwards distinguished himself as student and ideologist of the World Exposition.

Year: 1867	City: Paris	Country: France
Duration: 1st April - 3rd November 1867