The popular song-writer, Gustave Nadaud (1820-1893) was a native of Roubaix.
There are no monuments in the town anterior to the Revolution.
The population, largely composed of the working classes, increased rapidly between 1881 and 1891, and numbered 120,000 in 1914. The suburbs: Wattrelos, Lys, Croix, Wasquehal and Mouvaux, are extensions of the town itself and are growing steadily.
Since 1830 Roubaix has been an important centre for wool combing and spinning, the machinery employed comprising 700 washing, carding, combing and weaving machines and 300,000 spindles. Before the War, the wool-spinning mills produced 6,000 tons of yarn annually, the whole of which was used in France.
The dyeing and finishing industries, which date back to 1760, had steadily prospered. In 1914, 48 firms, employing 8,000 workpeople, were engaged in this branch.
TOURCOING shared the fate of Flanders during the course of its history. The English and Flemish burnt it during the 14th century, while the French seized it in 1477. In 1566-1568 it was twice sacked by the Gueux, and the Duke of Albe held it to ransom. From 1667 to 1708 it was annexed to France by Louis XIV. Later it fell successively under the yoke of the Austrians, Dutch and Saxons. On May 18th, 1794, the French beat the Duke of York's troops at Tourcoing, and paved the way for the Victory of Fleurus on June 26th.
Tourcoing is essentially an industrial town. Its population has steadily increased since 1491, when it numbered 2,500. In 1851 it had grown to 27,615 and in 1914 to 82,644.
From time immemorial Tourcoing has been a wool manufacturing centre. Here, the wool is first washed and dried, then treated with cocoanut fat, before combing, and lastly spun. Since 1845 the combing has been done mechanically (Heilman's system). The same may be said of the spinning, which, since 1811, was done on Bobo machines. Before the War, 5,000 tons of spun wool were exported annually.
Among the specialities made at Tourcoing were: fine thread, tablecloths and tapestry-work of mixed silk and mercerised cotton (well known for their fine colouring and reasonable price), and carpets of the Wilton and Oriental types.