Joseph Léon Talabot was a French engineer, iron master and politician. He advocated protectionist policies to maintain the prices of iron and steel. He was the founder of the Denain-Anzin steelworks.

Joseph Périer was a French businessman involved in banking and mining. His brother, Casimir Pierre Périer, served as Prime Minister of France. Joseph Périer was extremely wealthy, perhaps the richest man in France, mainly from his coal mining interests. He served in the Chamber of Deputies for 16 years during the July Monarchy.