Inventor. He was a French inventor of a non-exploding gas lamp. He is also noted for his unique tombstone. Born in Mesnil-Lieubray, France, about thirty miles east of Rouen, in Normandy. He began his adult career as a salesman in Paris, where with his close friend, Ernest Cognacq, became founders of the "Samaritaine" department stores. Eventually, Pigeon began dealing in cycle lamps, mining lamps, and other types of flammable lamps. There was a great public need for a non-exploding gasoline lamp, so Pigeon set about designing one that worked well, and on June 9, 1884 he obtained a patent for his new lamp. It would make him both famous and wealthy, as he was the first to produce and market a patented, non-flammable, non-explosive portable gas lamp. He was also the first to recognize the need for a unique logo for his device, a pigeon bird resting on a terrestrial sphere holding a lamp in its beak. He presented the Pigeon Lamp at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, where it received notable acclaim in the National Conservatory of Arts and Trades. Charles Pigeon died at his home in Paris, at 54 Rue de Rennes, in 1915. His wife preceded him in death in 1909. Their grave is of the two of them, he dressed in a business suit and her in an elegant dress, reclining in bed. Pigeon is resting on one elbow, holding a notebook and pencil that he was using to write notes in, while his wife listens attentively. Above the bed, an angel holds a Pigeon Lamp above the two. Pigeon had purchased the gravesite in 1905, intending to allow all of his family to be buried there; the site is large enough to hold 18 family members.
Inventor. He was a French inventor of a non-exploding gas lamp. He is also noted for his unique tombstone. Born in Mesnil-Lieubray, France, about thirty miles east of Rouen, in Normandy. He began his adult career as a salesman in Paris, where with his close friend, Ernest Cognacq, became founders of the "Samaritaine" department stores. Eventually, Pigeon began dealing in cycle lamps, mining lamps, and other types of flammable lamps. There was a great public need for a non-exploding gasoline lamp, so Pigeon set about designing one that worked well, and on June 9, 1884 he obtained a patent for his new lamp. It would make him both famous and wealthy, as he was the first to produce and market a patented, non-flammable, non-explosive portable gas lamp. He was also the first to recognize the need for a unique logo for his device, a pigeon bird resting on a terrestrial sphere holding a lamp in its beak. He presented the Pigeon Lamp at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, where it received notable acclaim in the National Conservatory of Arts and Trades. Charles Pigeon died at his home in Paris, at 54 Rue de Rennes, in 1915. His wife preceded him in death in 1909. Their grave is of the two of them, he dressed in a business suit and her in an elegant dress, reclining in bed. Pigeon is resting on one elbow, holding a notebook and pencil that he was using to write notes in, while his wife listens attentively. Above the bed, an angel holds a Pigeon Lamp above the two. Pigeon had purchased the gravesite in 1905, intending to allow all of his family to be buried there; the site is large enough to hold 18 family members.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
Inscription
Names on this tomb are:
Charles Pigeon
Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur
1838-1915
Mme Charles Pigeon
Née Catherine Léonie Martin
1846-1909
Georges Pigeon
1869-1910
Mme Georges Pigeon
née Amélie Ray
1869-1910
Paul Pigeon
1877-1944
Mme Vve Paul Pigeon
née Catherine Désirée Ritz
1872-1944
Charles Pigeon
1898-1959
Mme Robert Therizol
née Ginette Nadaud-Pigeon
1923-1946
Family Members
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