page_title: François de Wendel
section_title: World War I (1914–19)
hierarchical_section_title: François de Wendel / World War I (1914–19)
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Carte topographique vierge de la région Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine, France, destinée à la géolocalisation. Projection "Géoportail" (projection équirectangulaire à la latitude de référence 46.5° Nord) Limites géogrpahiques de la carte&#160;: West: 3.17 E East: 8.465 E North: 50.320 N South: 47.257 N
context_page_description: François de Wendel was a French industrialist and politician.
  He inherited the leadership of a major steel manufacturer in Lorraine at a time when it was part of Germany, and in Meurthe-et-Moselle in France to the west.
  He entered national politics just before World War I, holding office first as a deputy and then as a senator until after the defeat of France in World War II.
  His position as a deputy and also as head of the largest industrial enterprise in France inevitably led to accusations that he was manipulating policy in favor of his business empire.
context_section_description: At the outbreak of World War I the three brothers left Hayange in Lorraine and drove to Paris by car.
  François de Wendel was assigned to the Permanent Inspection of Manufacturing.
  He intervened in the Chamber over fuel supplies and the organization of war factories.
  He was a member of committees on War Damage and Invaded Regions.
  He assisted refugees and prisoners from Alsace-Lorraine, and formed a study group on Lorraine with Canon Collin and Ambassador Bompard.
  Humbert de Wendel was sent to London where he worked with the British government over the supply of arms.
  Later a parliamentary commission was set up to review profits made by suppliers of war materials. 
  François de Wendel drew up the report of metal industry contracts.
  Due to this involvement, there were allegations that the Wendels used their positions to further their interests, but their Lorraine steelworks were behind German lines throughout the war. The Wendels simply provided their expertise in metallurgy and metal markets to the French state.
caption: Northeast France
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