Born: 1-Jul-1872
Birthplace: Cambrai, France
Died: 2-Aug-1936
Location of death: Paris, France
Cause of death: Heart Failure
Remains: Buried, Cimetière des Gonards,Versailles, France

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Aviator, Business

Nationality: France
Executive summary: First to fly across English Channel

Military service: French Army (Lt.)

Aviation pioneer Louis Blériot made his fortune manufacturing automotive accessories, and used his funds to finance the construction of gliders and early monoplanes. In 1909 he won a ₤1000 prize offered by the London Daily Mail when he became the first pilot to fly across the English Channel, which separates England from the European continent. A week earlier Blériot had tried the same flight, but was forced by engine problems to ditch in the channel. On 25 July 1909 he tried again, taking off from Calais, France in his lightweight monoplane before dawn. Powered by a 28-horsepower engine, his plane was blown miles off its planned course by strong winds in the Channel, but Blériot reached England and landed the plane at Northfall Meadow in Dover at 5:17 AM. The 22-mile flight took 37 minutes, and the resultant fame made Blériot famous worldwide. His company became a leading manufacturer of airplanes, including the SPAD fighter flown by allied nations during the First World War.

Wife: Alice Vedène

    University: Arts and Trades, École Centrale, Paris, France

    International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1967
    Bleriot-Voisin Company Co-Founder (1903-06)
    Societe Pour L'Aviation Et Ses Derives President (1914-17)
    Bleriot-Aeronautique President (1918-33)
    French Ancestry

Author of books:
La Gloire des Ailes: L'aviation (The Glory of the Wings: Aviation) (1927, with Edouard Ramond)

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