Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, commonly referred to as simply Philippe Bunau-Varilla, was a French engineer and soldier. He played an important role in the creation of the Panama Canal, and greatly influenced the United States' decision concerning the construction site for the canal across Panama. The United States acquired the right to build and manage the canal in 1903, under the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty between the United States and Panama, for which Bunau-Varilla arranged to have himself designated as the representative of the newly-formed Republic of Panama. His role in the creation of the Panama Canal is well-documented in many historical sources.
After his work in Panama, Bunau-Varilla returned to Paris where he worked as an engineer and made notable contributions to that field. He fought in the French Army in the First World War, and lost a leg at Verdun. He died in Paris after the beginning of the Second World War but before the occupation of Paris by the German Army.
Bio by Ronald Decker, Chicago, Illinois, who first visited the Panama Canal in February 2015.
After his work in Panama, Bunau-Varilla returned to Paris where he worked as an engineer and made notable contributions to that field. He fought in the French Army in the First World War, and lost a leg at Verdun. He died in Paris after the beginning of the Second World War but before the occupation of Paris by the German Army.
Bio by Ronald Decker, Chicago, Illinois, who first visited the Panama Canal in February 2015.
Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, commonly referred to as simply Philippe Bunau-Varilla, was a French engineer and soldier. He played an important role in the creation of the Panama Canal, and greatly influenced the United States' decision concerning the construction site for the canal across Panama. The United States acquired the right to build and manage the canal in 1903, under the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty between the United States and Panama, for which Bunau-Varilla arranged to have himself designated as the representative of the newly-formed Republic of Panama. His role in the creation of the Panama Canal is well-documented in many historical sources.
After his work in Panama, Bunau-Varilla returned to Paris where he worked as an engineer and made notable contributions to that field. He fought in the French Army in the First World War, and lost a leg at Verdun. He died in Paris after the beginning of the Second World War but before the occupation of Paris by the German Army.
Bio by Ronald Decker, Chicago, Illinois, who first visited the Panama Canal in February 2015.
After his work in Panama, Bunau-Varilla returned to Paris where he worked as an engineer and made notable contributions to that field. He fought in the French Army in the First World War, and lost a leg at Verdun. He died in Paris after the beginning of the Second World War but before the occupation of Paris by the German Army.
Bio by Ronald Decker, Chicago, Illinois, who first visited the Panama Canal in February 2015.
Inscription
PHILIPPE
BUNAU-VARILLA
GRAND CROIX
DE LA LEGION D'HONNEUR
CROIX DE GUERRE
NE LE 26 JUILLET 1858
DECEDE LE 16 MAI 1940
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