Haussmann

Haussmann, George Eugene, Baron (b. 1809), was born in Paris, and having entered the service of the state rose to be Prefect of the Seine in 1853, and held the position till 1870, when he was dismissed. He was very energetic in carrying out public works, and was rewarded for his service by Napoleon III., who made him a senator and ennobled him. His improvements, however, not only involved much destruction of historic buildings, but were undertaken with an entire disregard of economy. He was for some time a director of the Credit Mobilier, and in 1881 was elected to the Chamber of Deputies.