Ernest Archdeacon

Ernest Archdeacon
Ernest Archdeacon c. 1890s
Born	1863 Paris, France
Died	1950 Versailles
Nationality	French, of Irish ancestry
Occupation	Lawyer, Aviation Pioneer
Known for	Aviation pioneer Founder of Aero Club de France The first aeroplane passenger in Europe Coupe d'Aviation Ernest Archdeacon Deutsch de la Meurthe-Archdeacon prize

Ernest Archdeacon (Paris, 1863 – Versailles, 1950), was a wealthy French lawyer of Irish descent who was prominent in the pioneering of aviation in France before the First World War. He made his first balloon flight at the age of 20. He commissioned a copy of the 1902 Wright No. 3 glider but had only limited success. He was regarded as France's foremost promoter and sponsor of aviation, offering prizes (Coupe d'Aviation Ernest Archdeacon and the Deutsch de la Meurthe-Archdeacon prize), commissioning designs, and organising tests and events.

His most lasting contribution to aviation is the Aéro-Club de France, the oldest aero-club in the world, which he co-founded in 1898.

On 29 May 1908, Archdeacon became the first aeroplane passenger in Europe when he was piloted by Henry Farman at Ghent.

Archdeacon was born and raised in Paris, and studied law for a career at the Bar. His passionate interest in science led him to also study ballooning and aviation, and in 1884, at age 20, he made his first balloon flight.

Archdeacon was a keen sporting motorist, taking part in many of the main events of the period.

In 1894 he finished 17th in the world's first motor race, driving his Serpollet steamer from Paris to Rouen, covering the distance of 127 km (79 mi) in 13 hours.

In 1896 he finished 7th in the Paris-Marseilles-Paris Trail driving a Delahaye. Covering the 1710 km in 75 hours 29 minutes 48 seconds. The event had 14 finishers from around 32 starters.

In 1897 he finished 20th in the Paris-Dieppe Trail on 24 July driving a Delahaye. Covering the 170.8 km in 5 hours 41 minutes 15 seconds at an average speed of 30 kilometres per hour. The event had 43 finishers from over 45 starters.

In 1899 he finished 8th in the Nice-Castellane-Nice race on 21 March driving a Delahaye, covering the 120.7 km in 3 hours 40 minutes.

On 20 October 1898, in partnership with the oil magnate Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe. Archdeacon founded the Aéro-Club de France, which is still the official authority of the organization of sports aviation in France. Other founding members included the Marquis de Fonvielle, Count Henri de la Vaulx and Count Henri de la Valette. The first president of the Aero Club in 1900 was the Marquis Jules-Albert de Dion.