[[Image:FarmanTsingtao.jpg|thumb|Two of the Imperial Japanese Navy seaplane carrier ''Wakamiyas Maurice Farman seaplanes stationed on land in Qingdao in 1914.]]Maurice Alain Farman''' (21 March 1877 – 25 February 1964) was a British-French Grand Prix motor racing champion, an aviator, and an aircraft manufacturer and designer.

Biography

Born in Paris to English parents, he and his brothers Richard and Henry Farman were important pioneers of aviation in Europe.

Maurice Farman

A champion tandem cyclist with brother Henry, Maurice Farman began racing Panhard automobiles and won the 1901 Pau Grand Prix, the first race ever to be called a Grand Prix. In May 1902 he won the "Circuit du Nord" race from Paris to Arras and back. He also competed in that year's Paris to Vienna race won by Marcel Renault. However, Farman's interest quickly turned to powered flight and in 1908 he bought a Voisin Model 4 biplane. In 1909 he set world's endurance and speed records. He soon began to manufacture airplanes and in 1912 merged his business with his brother's aircraft company to give the Farman Aviation Works. He was awarded Aviator's Certificate (Brevet) no. 6 by the Aero-Club de France, issued on November 18, 1909.

Maurice Farman

Maurice Farman died in Paris in 1964.

Maurice Farman

References

French male cyclists

French racing drivers

Grand Prix drivers

French aerospace engineers

French people of English descent

1877 births

1964 deaths

Racing drivers from Paris

Burials at Père Lachaise Cemetery

French aviation record holders

Cyclists from Paris