Jean-Baptiste Nouvion

Jean-Baptiste Nouvion (30 September 1833 – 1 August 1898) was a French prefect and a colonial administrator in Algeria. He made the success of the French aperitif Sirop de Picon.

Jean-Baptiste Nouvion
Prefect of Oran (Algeria)
MonarchNapoleon III
In office
1873–1879
Personal details
Born(1833-09-30)30 September 1833
Vars-sur-Roseix, French Empire
Died(1898-08-01)1 August 1898
Vars-sur-Roseix, France
NationalityFrench
Political partyBonapartist
Spouse(s)Claire Chassériau, daughter of baron Charles Frédéric Chassériau, Chief architect of the cities of Marseille, Constantine and Algiers
ProfessionOfficial, prefect

Career

He started his career as chief of staff of the Civil governor of Algeria, Gustave Mercier Lacombe from 1859 to 1861. After several positions as sub prefect in Saint Nazaire and Philippeville, he became the prefect of Oran in Algeria from 1873 until 1879.

The prefect Nouvion and the aperitif Sirop de Picon

In 1862 the French government invited industry to take part in the Universal Exhibition in London. Jean-Baptiste Nouvion, the sub-prefect of Philippeville, urged Gaëtan Picon to bring his aperitif Sirop de Picon to the exhibition. But, failing to convince the manufacturer to take part, the sub-prefect stubbornly took it upon himself (without telling Mr. Picon) to ship a case of African Amer to London.[1] The product ended up crowned with a bronze medal in the bitter aperitif category, greatly adding to Gaëtan Picon's eventual fortune.

Honours

A city near Oran was named Nouvion as a recognition of his work. After the Independence of Algeria, the name of the city was changed to El Ghomri.[2] ·

References
  1. Journal "L'Illustration" du 24 mai 1930 – histoire de l’apéritif amer Picon ou amer algérien
  2. "Histoire des préfets, Cent cinquante ans d'administration provinciale, 1800–1950" de Pierre Henry – Nouvelles Éditions latines – 1950
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