# Maurice Allègre > French official **Wikidata**: [Q3300318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3300318) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-allegre ## Summary Maurice Allègre is a French official and computer scientist, born in 1933, who has held high-ranking leadership positions in French scientific and governmental organizations. He is best known for serving as the president of the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) from 1969 to 1974 and later as the Director General of the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM). A member of the prestigious Corps des mines, Allègre has played a significant role in shaping French research policy in computer science and geology. ## Biography * **Born:** February 16, 1933, in Antibes, France * **Nationality:** France * **Education:** École Polytechnique, Mines ParisTech, IFP School * **Known for:** Leadership in French computer science and geological research agencies * **Employer(s):** Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management * **Field(s):** Computer Science, Public Administration, Geology ## Contributions Maurice Allègre's career is defined by his executive leadership within major French state research institutions. His contributions are primarily administrative and strategic, guiding organizations critical to France's technological and resource infrastructure. His most notable early contribution was his tenure as **President of the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA)**. Serving from 1969 to 1974, Allègre led the institute during its formative years, establishing a foundation for France's development in computer science and control systems. Later in his career, Allègre shifted focus to natural resources. He served as the **Director General of the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)** from 1988 to 1992. In this capacity, he oversaw the French geological survey, managing research and exploration activities related to mineral resources and geological risk management. From 1993 onwards, he served as the **President of the National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management**. In this role, he was responsible for steering the agency tasked with managing France's radioactive waste, a critical component of the country's nuclear energy strategy. His professional background is grounded in his membership with the **Corps des mines**, one of France's most distinguished technical civil service corps. ## FAQs ### Q: What was Maurice Allègre's role at INRIA? A: Maurice Allègre served as the President of the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) from 1969 to 1974, guiding the research institution during its early establishment. ### Q: Which educational institutions did Maurice Allègre attend? A: Maurice Allègre was educated at the École Polytechnique, Mines ParisTech, and IFP School, reflecting a strong background in engineering and geology. ### Q: What distinguished positions did Maurice Allègre hold in the French government? A: Beyond his role at INRIA, he was the Director General of the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) and the President of the National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management. He is also a member of the Corps des mines. ## Why They Matter Maurice Allègre matters for his cross-disciplinary impact on French state research, bridging the gap between the emerging field of computer science in the 1970s and the established sectors of geology and energy management in the 1980s and 1990s. As President of INRIA, his leadership occurred during a pivotal era when computer science was solidifying as a distinct scientific discipline in France. His subsequent leadership at the BRGM and the National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management placed him at the helm of strategic decisions regarding France's natural resources and nuclear waste policies. His career trajectory illustrates the versatility of the French technical elite (Corps des mines), capable of administering complex scientific organizations ranging from digital innovation to geological exploration. Without his administrative stewardship, the strategic direction of these institutions during their critical developmental phases might have followed significantly different paths. ## Notable For * **President of INRIA:** Led the institute from 1969 to 1974. * **Director General of BRGM:** Headed the French geological survey from 1988 to 1992. * **Corps des mines:** Membership in this elite technical corps signifies high-level expertise in engineering and public service. * **Radioactive Waste Management:** Served as President of the National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management starting in 1993. * **Elite Education:** Alumni of École Polytechnique and Mines ParisTech. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Maurice Allègre was born on February 16, 1933, in Antibes, France. He pursued higher education at some of France's most prestigious engineering schools, attending the École Polytechnique and Mines ParisTech. He also studied at IFP School (Institut Français du Pétrole), specializing in the technical fields that would define his career in the Corps des mines. ### Leadership in Computer Science (1969–1974) Allègre was a key figure in the early history of French computer science research. He served as the President of the **Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA)** starting in 1969, concluding his term in 1974. During this five-year period, he directed the institute's efforts in the nascent fields of informatics and automatic control. ### Geological and Nuclear Administration (1988–1993+) Transitioning to the management of natural and energy resources, Allègre took on the role of **Director General of the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)**. He held this position for four years, starting in 1988 and ending in 1992. The BRGM serves as the French reference public institution for Earth Science applications in the management of surface and sub-surface resources. In 1993, Allègre assumed the presidency of the **National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management**. This position involved overseeing the long-term management solutions for radioactive waste produced in France, a critical issue for the nation's energy sector. ### Professional Affiliations Maurice Allègre is a member of the **Corps des mines**, a technical body of the French Civil Service. This membership categorizes him among the top-ranking officials in the French engineering state apparatus. He speaks, writes, and signs in French. His professional identity is also cataloged under various international authority files, including the Bibliothèque nationale de France (ID: 12197489v) and VIAF (ID: 162903471). ## References 1. general catalog of BnF 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. BnF authorities 4. IdRef