Armand Fallières
Encyclopedia
Clément Armand Fallières (aʁmɑ̃ faljɛʁ; 6 November 1841 – 22 June 1931) was a French politician, president of the French republic from 1906 to 1913.
He was born at Mézin
in the département of Lot-et-Garonne
, France, where his father was clerk of the peace. He studied law and became an advocate at Nérac
, beginning his public career there as municipal councillor (1868), afterwards mayor (1871), and as councillor-general of the département of Lot-et-Garonne (1871). Being an ardent Republican
, he lost this position in May 1873 upon the fall of Thiers, but in February 1876 was elected deputy for Nérac. In the chamber he sat with the Republican Left, signed the protestation of 18 May 1877, and was re-elected five months later.
In 1880 he became under-secretary of state in the department of the interior in Jules Ferry
's ministry (May 1880 to November 1881). From 7 August 1882 to 20 February 1883 he was minister of the interior, and for a month (from 29 January 1883) was prime minister. His ministry had to face the question of the expulsion of the pretenders to the throne of France, owing to the proclamation by Prince Napoléon
(January 1883).
Fallières, who was ill at the time , was not able to face the storm of opposition, and resigned when the senate
rejected his project. The following November, however, he was chosen as minister of public instruction by Jules Ferry
, and carried out various reforms in the school system.
He resigned in March 1885, becoming minister of the interior in Maurice Rouvier
's cabinet two years later. He exchanged his portfolio in December for that of the department of justice. He returned again to the ministry of the interior in February 1889, and finally retook the department of justice from March 1890 to February 1892. In June 1890 his département (Lot-et-Garonne) elected him to the senate by 417 votes to 23. There Fallières remained independent of party struggles, although maintaining his influence among the Republicans.
In March 1899 he was elected president of the senate, and retained that position until January 1906, when he was chosen by a union of the groups of the Left in both chambers as candidate for the presidency of the republic. He was elected on the first ballot by 449 votes against 371 for his opponent, Paul Doumer
.
Fallieres was an outspoken opponent of the death penalty and gave pardon to many prisoners sentenced to death.
He was born at Mézin
Mézin
Mézin is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France.This place is situated in Nerac, Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine, France, its geographical coordinates are 44° 3' 0" North, 0° 16' 0" East and its original name is Mézin...
in the département of Lot-et-Garonne
Lot-et-Garonne
Lot-et-Garonne is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot and Garonne rivers.-History:Lot-et-Garonne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
, France, where his father was clerk of the peace. He studied law and became an advocate at Nérac
Nérac
Nérac is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France.-External links:*...
, beginning his public career there as municipal councillor (1868), afterwards mayor (1871), and as councillor-general of the département of Lot-et-Garonne (1871). Being an ardent Republican
Republicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
, he lost this position in May 1873 upon the fall of Thiers, but in February 1876 was elected deputy for Nérac. In the chamber he sat with the Republican Left, signed the protestation of 18 May 1877, and was re-elected five months later.
In 1880 he became under-secretary of state in the department of the interior in Jules Ferry
Jules Ferry
Jules François Camille Ferry was a French statesman and republican. He was a promoter of laicism and colonial expansion.- Early life :Born in Saint-Dié, in the Vosges département, France, he studied law, and was called to the bar at Paris in 1854, but soon went into politics, contributing to...
's ministry (May 1880 to November 1881). From 7 August 1882 to 20 February 1883 he was minister of the interior, and for a month (from 29 January 1883) was prime minister. His ministry had to face the question of the expulsion of the pretenders to the throne of France, owing to the proclamation by Prince Napoléon
Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte
Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte, Prince Français, Count of Meudon, Count of Moncalieri ad personam, titular 3rd Prince of Montfort was the second son of Jérôme Bonaparte, king of Westphalia, by his wife Catherine, princess of Württemberg...
(January 1883).
Fallières, who was ill at the time , was not able to face the storm of opposition, and resigned when the senate
French Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of France, presided over by a president.The Senate enjoys less prominence than the lower house, the directly elected National Assembly; debates in the Senate tend to be less tense and generally enjoy less media coverage.-History:France's first...
rejected his project. The following November, however, he was chosen as minister of public instruction by Jules Ferry
Jules Ferry
Jules François Camille Ferry was a French statesman and republican. He was a promoter of laicism and colonial expansion.- Early life :Born in Saint-Dié, in the Vosges département, France, he studied law, and was called to the bar at Paris in 1854, but soon went into politics, contributing to...
, and carried out various reforms in the school system.
He resigned in March 1885, becoming minister of the interior in Maurice Rouvier
Maurice Rouvier
Maurice Rouvier was a French statesman.He was born in Aix-en-Provence, and spent his early career in business at Marseille. He supported Léon Gambetta's candidature there in 1867, and in 1870 he founded an anti-imperial journal, L'Egalité. Becoming secretary general of the prefecture of...
's cabinet two years later. He exchanged his portfolio in December for that of the department of justice. He returned again to the ministry of the interior in February 1889, and finally retook the department of justice from March 1890 to February 1892. In June 1890 his département (Lot-et-Garonne) elected him to the senate by 417 votes to 23. There Fallières remained independent of party struggles, although maintaining his influence among the Republicans.
In March 1899 he was elected president of the senate, and retained that position until January 1906, when he was chosen by a union of the groups of the Left in both chambers as candidate for the presidency of the republic. He was elected on the first ballot by 449 votes against 371 for his opponent, Paul Doumer
Paul Doumer
Joseph Athanase Paul Doumer, commonly known as Paul Doumer was the President of France from 13 June 1931 until his assassination.-Biography:...
.
Fallieres was an outspoken opponent of the death penalty and gave pardon to many prisoners sentenced to death.
Fallières' Ministry, 29 January 1883 – 21 February 1883
- Armand Fallières – President of the Council, interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Worship
- Jean Thibaudin – Minister of War
- Pierre TirardPierre TirardPierre Emmanuel Tirard was a French politician.He was born to French parents in Geneva, Switzerland. After studying in his native town, Tirard became a civil engineer. After five years of government service he resigned to become a jewel merchant...
– Minister of Finance - Paul Devès – Minister of Justice
- François de Mahy – Minister of Agriculture and interim Minister of Marine and Colonies
- Jules Duvaux – Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts
- Anne Charles Hérisson – Minister of Public Works
- Adolphe Cochery – Minister of Posts and Telegraphs
- Pierre Legrand – Minister of Commerce