Jean-Jacques Desandrouin

Who was Jean-Jacques Desandrouin?

The Viscount Jean-Jacques Desandrouin came from the district of Lodelinsart belonging to the Belgian city of Charleroi. His name is connected with the beginnings of the industrial revolution in Belgium and the massive expansion of coal mining in the area of Anzin in northern France. For the spelling of his name, there are the variants 'Désandrouin or 'Desandrouins or sometimes De Sandrouin and Androuins.

His activities have changed the face of this region. His economic success was based on his involvement in the manufacture of glass, in metal production in forging and in the promotion and the transport of coal. He co-founder and owner of the most important mining company in his time the Compagnie des Mines d'Anzin, which was founded on November 19, 1757.