Full Name: Raymond Nicolas Landry Poincaré
Profession: French President and Prime Minister
Biography: Raymond Poincaré was a French statesman of the early 20th century who served as President of France from 1913 to 1920. While he served his country in various capacities, he is best known for this period as president, which saw him lead the country through the outbreak and duration of World War I.
Poincaré was noted for his intellectual leanings, trained in law and having achieved recognition in the field. He once defended the author Jules Verne in a libel suit brought by the chemist Eugène Turpin, who claimed that he had been depicted as the mad scientist in one of Verne's books.
At 26, Poincaré was the youngest ever to be elected to the Chamber of Deputies. His political career from there led him to serve in various ministerial positions, including Minister of Finance (1926-1928) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1922-1924). He was a staunch advocate for a French might and was skeptical of Germany's intentions, particularly after the 1870 Franco-Prussian War.
Upon taking the presidency, Poincaré purged the government of opponents so that he had sole control of French foreign policy. He pursued an aggressive policy in the lead-up to World War I and maintained an firm resolve towards victory during the Great War.
His power only began to wane with the election of Georges Clemenceau, a marked political rival, as prime minister in 1917. Although he lost the presidency in 1920, Poincaré would return to politics and serve as Prime Minister in the later 1920s.
Born: August 20, 1860
Birthplace: Bar-le-Duc, France
Star Sign: Leo
Died: October 15, 1934 (aged 74)
Articles and Photos
Historical Events
- 1912-01-14 Raymond Poincaré becomes Prime Minister of France for the first time
- 1913-01-17 Raymond Poincaré elected president of France
- 1913-01-19 Raymond Poincaré installed as President of France
- 1926-07-23 French government of Raymond Poincaré forms
- 1928-11-11 France's 5th government of Raymond Poincaré forms
Famous French Presidents
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