Dunant, Jean Henri, << doo NAHN, zhahn ahn REE >> (1828-1910), a Swiss banker, was the founder of the International Red Cross. As a young businessman, he accidentally saw the battle of Solferino in 1859. He was shocked at the lack of care given the wounded. His book, Recollections of Solferino (1862), influenced the rulers of Europe tremendously, and in 1863 the Permanent International Committee was organized in Geneva. In 1864, delegates of 16 countries agreed to the Geneva Convention for the treatment of wounded and prisoners (see Geneva Conventions ). Dunant went bankrupt and for 15 years his whereabouts was unknown. He was found in 1890, living in an almshouse, and in 1901 shared the first Nobel Peace Prize. Dunant was born in Geneva on May 8, 1828. He died in Heiden, Switzerland, on Oct. 30, 1910. See also Red Cross (History) .
