James Hennessy

James Richard Charles Hennessy (26 July 1867 – 16 May 1945) was a French naval officer, politician, businessman and equestrian. Personal life Hennessy was born on 26 July 1867 in Cherves, a member of the Hennessy cognac family. He married Alice Hennessy, his first cousin, in 1893; they had five children. He died in Paris on 16 May 1945. Military career Hennessy attended the École navale, before embarking on a career in the French Navy. Having left the navy in 1893, he was mobilised during World War I. He rose to the rank of corvette captain and was awarded the Croix de guerre. Business interests Upon leaving the navy in 1893, Hennessy joined the family business.