Felix Faure French politician, President of France (Third Republic, 1895-1899) Country: France

Biography of Felix Faure

Felix Faure was a French politician and the President of France (Third Republic, 1895-1899). Born in Paris, France, he was the son of a small workshop owner and received a commercial education at the Bove School in Uzès. Faure served in various trading firms and showed great commercial abilities, quickly amassing wealth and establishing a large tannery company in Le Havre, which traded with South America, Germany, and other countries.

In 1870, Faure was elected as a member of the municipal council of Le Havre and became an assistant to the mayor after the fall of the Empire on September 4th. He played an instrumental role in fortifying the city of Le Havre and later led a battalion of volunteers during the war, traveling to England on Gambetta's orders to procure weapons. He also fought on the side of the government during the Commune.

From 1875 to 1894, Faure served as a member and later president of the Chamber of Commerce in Le Havre. He was elected as a deputy in Le Havre in 1881 and was reelected in 1885, 1889, and 1893. Faure was a supporter of a "liberal republic, tolerant, open to all and patronizing to all interests," as stated in his electoral program of 1876.

In November 1893, he was elected as the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies. In May 1894, Faure became the Minister of Marine in the second Dupuy cabinet. During his tenure, the first condemnation of Alfred Dreyfus occurred, and there was speculation about Faure's knowledge of the situation.

After the resignation of Casimir Périer in 1895, Faure became one of the main candidates for the presidency of the republic. With 244 votes out of 787 on the first ballot, Faure was elected on the second ballot with 430 votes out of 800. As president, Faure initially adhered to the constitutional limits of his role but introduced an almost royal court etiquette at the Élysée Palace, emphasizing his special status as the head of state.

During his presidency, Faure worked towards closer ties between France and Russia. In 1896, he welcomed Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra to Paris, which marked the culmination of efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. In 1897, Faure returned a visit to the Russian imperial couple.

After the fall of the Bourgeois cabinet in April 1896, Faure called for the Melinet cabinet to come to power, which lasted until June 1898, and later in November 1898, the third Dupuy cabinet. During the Dreyfus Affair, Faure openly supported those opposed to a review of the case.

On February 16, 1899, Faure died suddenly from a stroke, leaving France in a state of crisis. Rumors circulated that he died while engaged in oral sex with a well-known adventuress of the time, Marguerite Steinheil. However, these rumors have not been definitively proven. Faure's death led to much speculation and controversy.