Edmond Potonié-Pierre
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During the 1850s, Potonié-Pierre was inspired by Richard Cobden's Anti-Corn Law League and aimed to do similar in France.[1]: 31 He learnt German and Italian while travelling around Europe, and developed the liberal economics of his father to make it more socialistic and cooperative.[1]: 31
During the 1860s, he associated with notable thinkers like John Stuart Mill, Franz Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch, Frédéric Passy, and Rudolf Virchow.[1]: 31 After receiving financial support from Henry Richard, Potonié-Pierre founded the Ligue du Bien Public (Public Good League).[1]: 31 The Ligue attacked monopolies and high levels of taxation while advocating individual freedom and organised world peace.[1]: 31–2
Despite earlier support, Potonié-Pierre disagreed with Passy over his Ligue Internationale et Permanente de la Paix (International and Permanent League of Peace) due to Passy's legalistic approach towards peace and Potonié-Pierre's approach of social justice.[1]: 34
In 1868, the papers detailing his international contacts were seized by the French police, and their status remains unknown.[1]: 32
