Public Figure Profiles

Fulgence Bienvenüe

Fulgence Bienvenüe (27 January 1852 – 3 August 1936) was a noted French civil engineer, best known for his role in the construction of the Paris Métro, and has been called "Le Père du Métro" (Father of the Metro).: 162 A native of Uzel in Brittany, and the son of a notary, in 1872 Bienvenüe graduated from the École Polytechnique as a civil engineer: 150  and the same year he began working for the Department of Bridges and Roads at Alençon.: 150  His first assignment was the construction of new railway lines in the Mayenne area, in the course of which his left arm had to be amputated after being crushed in a construction accident.

In 1886, Bienvenüe moved on to Paris to design and supervise the construction of aqueducts for the city, drawing water from the rivers Aube and Loire.: 151  Next, he built a cable railway near the Place de la République and created the park of Buttes-Chaumont.: 151  In 1891, he was appointed as Engineer-in-Chief for Bridges and Roads, the most prestigious engineering job in France.: 151 Paris city officials selected Bienvenüe to become chief engineer for the Paris Métro in 1896. He designed a special way of building new tunnels which allowed the swift repaving of the roads above; this involved (among other things) building the crown of the tunnel first and the floor last, the reverse of the usual method at that time.: 151, 162  Bienvenüe has the credit for the mostly swift and relatively uneventful construction of the Métro through the difficult and heterogenous Parisian soils and rocks.: 150–1, 162  He came up with the idea of freezing wet and unstable soil in order to permit the drilling of tunnels. He was to supervise the Paris Metro construction for more than three decades, finally retiring on 6 December 1932.

Bienvenüe's construction of the Métro was widely praised and has been described admiringly as a work "worthy of the Romans".: 160, 162  He eventually accumulated many honors for his engineering accomplishments, including the Grand Prix Berger of the Academy of Arts and Sciences (1909) and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor (1929).: 160 On 30 June 1933, the Avenue du Maine station on the Metro was renamed Bienvenüe in his honor. The naming ceremony took place in his presence; there was a last-minute scramble to repaint the station's new nameboards when it was discovered that the unusual diaeresis in his name had been omitted, making it the French word for "welcome". In 1942 the station was linked to the adjacent Montparnasse station, forming a single station named Montparnasse-Bienvenüe.

Bienvenüe was buried in 1936 at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

Lycée Fulgence Bienvenüe high school in Loudéac, Brittany is named after Bienvenüe.

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Some of their strengths

Fulgence Bienvenüe has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Altruistic, Intellectual, Analytical, Innovative, Optimistic, Brave, and Energetic.

Idealistic and Altruistic

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Fulgence Bienvenüe is someone who is an idealist and an altruist who possesses an innovative, intellectual, and analytical mind, and who approaches life in an optimistic and easygoing manner. A person who is known for being fun and creative.

Active and Precise

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Fulgence Bienvenüe well know them as someone who can be tough, active, and sharp, like a sword.

Methodical and Exacting

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Fulgence Bienvenüe as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.

A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.

Altruistic and Ambitious

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Fulgence Bienvenüe is someone who is the type of person who rallies behind a group, cause, or community, and who enjoys being dedicated to a higher cause of some sort.

They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.

Altruistic and Innovative

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Fulgence Bienvenüe tends to be someone who sacrifices things for the good of others and wants to do "good" in the world. Who is often thought of as an innovator or rebel who thrives when trying to chase a breakthrough of some sort, who has a clear and sound mind, and who can be charming and sociable.

Some of Fulgence Bienvenüe's challenges

While Fulgence Bienvenüe has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, Fulgence Bienvenüe can be Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Hesitant, Narcissistic, and Sensitive.

Rebellious and Emotionally Distant

One of Fulgence Bienvenüe's key challenges is that they are someone who can be rebellious and emotionally distant.

Fulgence Bienvenüe must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive, and can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.

Sensitive and Critical

Fulgence Bienvenüe is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.

Serious and Callous

Finally, Fulgence Bienvenüe also can be too giving, come across as too "high and mighty", and can have a hard time expressing feelings.

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