James Hennessy (politician)

James Richard Charles Hennessy (26 July 1867 – 16 May 1945) was a French naval officer, politician, businessman and equestrian.[1]

James Hennessy
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office
8 July 1906 – 9 January 1921
Member of the Senate
In office
9 January 1921 – 16 May 1945
Personal details
Born
James Richard Charles Hennessy

(1867-07-26)26 July 1867
Cherves, Charente, France
Died16 May 1945(1945-05-16) (aged 77)
Paris, France
Spouse
Alice Hennessy
(after 1893)
RelativesJean Hennessy (brother)
EducationCollège Stanislas de Paris, École navale
ProfessionNaval officer, businessman, politician
Military service
AllegianceFrance
Branch/serviceNavy
RankCorvette captain
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsCroix de guerre

Personal life

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Hennessy was born on 26 July 1867 in Cherves, a member of the Hennessy cognac family. He married Alice Hennessy, his first cousin, in 1893; they had five children.[2] He died in Paris on 16 May 1945.

Military career

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Hennessy attended the École navale, before embarking on a career in the French Navy.[3] Having left the navy in 1893, he was mobilised during World War I. He rose to the rank of corvette captain and was awarded the Croix de guerre.[4]

Business interests

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Upon leaving the navy in 1893, Hennessy joined the family business.[3][4]

Politics

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Hennessy began his political career as a general councillor for Segonzac, Charente in 1895. He was elected as a deputy for Charente in 1906, succeeding Gustave d'Ornano, who had died shortly after the general election. He was re-elected in 1910, 1914 and 1919.[5] In 1921, he was elected to the senate, where he sat until his death in 1945.[3][6]

Hennessy also served as deputy mayor of Cognac until 1929. Several of his relatives, including his brother Jean also had careers in politics.[3][7]

Equestrian

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Hennessy had a keen interest in horses. As a breeder of racehorses,[3][4] he won the Grand National with Lutteur III in 1909,[8] and the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris with Lord Loris in 1914.[9]

Hennessy competed in the mail coach event at the 1900 Summer Olympics.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "James Hennessy". Olympedia. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  2. ^ Burke, Bernard; Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1912). A genealogical and heraldic history of the landed gentry of Ireland. Harrison & Sons. p. 310.
  3. ^ a b c d e Jolly, Jean; et al. (1960–1977). Dictionnaire des parlementaires français (1889–1940) (in French). Presses universitaires de France.
  4. ^ a b c "Hennessy Richard Charles James". Committee for historical and scientific work. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  5. ^ "James, Richard, Charles Hennessy". Assemblée nationale (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Hennessy James". Sénat (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  7. ^ Dubasque, François; Lachaise, Bernard (2008). Jean Hennessy (1874-1944): Argent et réseaux au service d'une nouvelle république (in French). Presses universitaires de Rennes. ISBN 9782753505476 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "French horse winner". The Boston Globe. 27 March 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 4 February 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Rain mars steeplechase". The Washington Post. 22 June 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 4 February 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "James Hennessy Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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