28 Facts About Georges Rolland

Georges Rolland was a French geologist and industrialist, a member of the Corps des mines, who worked in Algeria in the 1880s.

Georges Rolland made important discoveries about the underground hydrology of the Sahara.

Georges Rolland was a leading advocate of a trans-Sahara railway to link French colonial possessions in West Africa.

Georges Rolland married the heiress of a Lorraine steelworks, and became president of the Societe metallurgique de Gorcy and the Acieries de Longwy, and director of various other enterprises.

Georges Rolland was born in Paris on 23 January 1852.

Georges Rolland's parents were Gustave Rolland and Bernardine Marie Leonie Dauss.

Georges Rolland's father was a former officer of the Engineers who became a Deputy.

Georges Rolland went on to the Ecole des Mines de Paris, where he studied from 1874 to 1877 and graduated in second place.

Georges Rolland became an engineer in the Corps des mines in 1877, attached to the office of Charles de Freycinet, Minister of Public Works.

Georges Rolland remained in the region, where he paid particular attention to the hydrography, including the underground waters, which could be used to irrigate arid land.

Georges Rolland established a colony in the Sahara of Constantine and introduced an irrigation system in the desert regions of Oued Righ between Biskra and Touggourt.

In 1884 a geological section under Georges Rolland was added to the Tunisian Scientific Exploration Mission.

Georges Rolland covered the centre of the country, while Thomas worked further south and Le Mesle worked mainly in the north, apart from an expedition to the extreme south.

Georges Rolland remained interested in the idea of a railway, and in 1889 gave a lecture at the Geographical Society of Paris in which he described the scheme.

In 1890 Philebert and Georges Rolland co-authored an influential pamphlet urging an immediate start to the railway project.

In July 1893 Georges Rolland was appointed a chief engineer of the Corps des mines.

Georges Rolland made a thorough study of Lorraine geology, particularly the Briey iron basin, where he played an important role in discovering its mineral wealth.

Georges Rolland married the daughter of Alfred Labbe, son of Jean-Joseph Labbe, founder of the Forges de Gorcy.

Georges Rolland joined the Societe metallurgique de Gorcy in 1893 as a director.

Georges Rolland became managing director of this company in 1894.

Georges Rolland was the first engineer of the Corps des mines to hold such a position.

Georges Rolland became director, vice-president, then president of the Acieries de Longwy at Mont-Saint-Martin, Meurthe-et-Moselle.

Georges Rolland was president of the Societe des tramways de Longwy.

Georges Rolland was a member, then president, of the council of Briey, but was forced to resign in 1900 for health reasons.

Georges Rolland suffered from a lingering disease in his later years that increasingly restricted his activity and would eventually cause his death.

Georges Rolland died near Gorcy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, on 25 July 1910, aged 58.

Georges Rolland was given the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour at the age of 32 for his work in the Sahara.

Georges Rolland was appointed an officer of Public Instruction, an officer of Agricultural Merit and Commander of Nicham.