Émile Basly was born it March 29 1854 in Valenciennes. He died on February 11 1928 in Lens With Arthur Lamendin , it is one of the great figures of trade unionism mining in the field of Nord-Pas-de-Calais. It is illustrated in particular during strike of 1884 and will be called: ' ' the untameable minor or ' ' the tsar of Lens ' '. Emile Zola was inspired some for the character by Étienne Lantier in its novel ' ' Germinal.

As of the twelve years age, it enters like "galibot" (young person minor), it becomes then secretary of Trade union of the Minors of Anzin to its creation in 1882, then president in 1891. It is appointed of 1885 with 1889 then of 1991 with 1928 in the district of Lens-Liévin.

He was mayor of Lens from 1900 and remained it until its death. The rebuilding of the city complétement destroyed at the time of First World War being its last mission; it devoted to it the ten last years of its life.

A street named Rue Émile Basly is named in his honor in Avion in the south in suburban Lens.