[André Detoeuf (1884-1931): pharmacist, industrialist and chemist]

During the transition between the 19th and 20th century, Auguste Béhal (1859-1941), a native of Lens (France, Pas-de-Calais), renewed organic chemistry teaching at the Paris School of Pharmacy by the introduction of atomic notation and pre-electronic mechanisms. This revolution primarily affects the future pharmacists. Thus, Béhal becomes the leader of a "School" of thought and directs the work of many students called "Béhaliens": Ernest Fourneau (1872-1949), Marc Tiffeneau (1873-1945), Marcel Sommelet (1877-1952), etc. Among these students, three are also from Lens: Amand Valeur (1870-1927), Raymond Delaby (1891-1958) and André Detoeuf (1884-1931). The latter, initially, will follow the footsteps of his older siblings (pharmacy studies, writing a thesis under the direction of Behal); however, despite having started a career in academia, he left his post for the industry (Etablissements Kuhlmann and Billault).