Henri Fournier
French racing driver
About Henri Fournier
Lived 1871 – 1919 (aged 48). Henri Fournier was a French sport cyclist, motorcycle racer, racing automobile driver and aircraft pilot.
Henri Fournier (14 April 1871, in Le Mans – 18 December 1919) was a French racing driver. Fournier began his career on motorcycles and tricycles. In 1901 he came to the Mors racing team and was the most successful driver of this year, as he won both the Paris–Bordeaux and Paris–Berlin races. In addition to his racing career, he did well in speed tests and in the United States set a new record for the mile with his car. At the 1902 Paris-Vienna race he also dominated the first leg with an average speed of 114 km/h, but later had to give up with transmission failure. In the autumn of that year he set the then land speed record at 123 km/h.
Retirement and return
He then retired for the time being from motorsport to run a car dealership, for first Hotchkiss, then for the Italian marque Itala. With these he returned in 1907 to racing where in four races the best result achieved was eighth place in the 1908 American Grand Prize.
Établissements Fournier
Together with his brother Achille, Fournier founded the company Établissements Fournier for manufacturing automobiles.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Henri Fournier's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Henri Fournier?
French racing driver (1871-1919)
When was Henri Fournier born?
Henri Fournier was born on 14 April 1871 in Le Mans.
When did Henri Fournier die?
Henri Fournier died on 18 December 1919 in Paris.
What was Henri Fournier's occupation?
Henri Fournier was a sport cyclist, motorcycle racer, racing automobile driver and aircraft pilot.
What nationality was Henri Fournier?
Henri Fournier was French.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henri Fournier. https://biography.guide/henri-fournier/
MLA: "Henri Fournier." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henri-fournier/.
Chicago: "Henri Fournier." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henri-fournier/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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