Jean Henri Dunant

Jean Henri Dunant, known as Henry Dunant, was a Swiss businessman and social activist. While in Italy, Henry witnessed the horrible aftermath of the Battle of Solferino. Seeing over 20,000 dying and wounded on the battlefield with no aid, Henry organized the local population to assist the injured soldiers, purchasing supplies with his own money. He wrote a book about his experience and traveled throughout Europe, spreading his ideas of humanitarian aid.

Along with four other members, Dunant founded the International Committee of the Red Cross and initiated the Geneva Conventions. Unfortunately, an ally turned rival from the committee later saw to Dunant’s expulsion from the group and a period of financial hardship and relative obscurity followed. Eventually, a newspaper article profiling Dunant helped return him to the public’s attention, and in 1901, he became the co-recipient of the first-ever Nobel Peace Prize.