About
Léon Blum was a major figure of French socialism. Born in Paris to an Alsatian Jewish family, he studied at the École Normale Supérieure and the Sorbonne before becoming a literary critic. He entered politics during the Dreyfus Affair, became a disciple of Jean Jaurès, and was one of the main theorists of the SFIO. In 1936, he became the first socialist and the first Jew to serve as Prime Minister, leading the Popular Front government that introduced paid holidays and the 40-hour week. Refusing to grant full powers to Pétain in 1940, he was arrested, tried at Riom, and deported to Buchenwald and Dachau. After the war, he headed the provisional government and contributed to the Constitution of the Fourth Republic.
* 1872-04-09 — † 1950-03-28
Major works
- À l'échelle humaine (1945)essay
Key milestones
- 1936Becomes Prime Minister and signs the Matignon Accords.
- 1940Refuses to grant full powers to Marshal Pétain.
- 1946Heads the provisional government of the Fourth Republic.
Themes
SocialismSocial justiceWorkers' rightsAnti-fascismResistance
Sources: britannica.com · yalebooks.co.uk