Louis Renault (1877-1944), French industrialist and car manufacturer. Renault was a pioneer of the automobile. He built his first car, called the Voiturette, in 1898. With his brothers, he set up the Renault car design and manufacturing company in 1899. In 1908, he assumed overall control after one of the brothers died (in 1903) and the other retired (1908). The Renault company expanded over the next 30 years, and Louis Renault invented and patented several new devices and designs. He was awarded the Legion of Honour after WWI for his military designs, including the Renault tank. He died in prison awaiting trial after WWII on charges of Nazi collaboration. Artwork from Histoire de la Locomotion Terrestre (Paris, 1936).