Jacques Soustelle

Jacques Soustelle was born in Montpellier, France on 3 February 1912 and died 6 August 1990. A trained anthropologist specializing in Latin American civilizations, he became vice-director of the Musée de l'homme in Paris in 1938.

Related Topics:
Montpellier - France - 3 February - 1912 - 6 August - 1990 - Latin American civilizations - Musée de l'homme - Paris

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An anti-fascist, he joined the French resistance and De Gaulle in London, coming to head the information and intelligence services. In 1945, he served first as Minister of Information, then of the Colonies. From 1947 to 1951, he served as Secretary General of the Gaullist party Rally of the French People (RPF).

Related Topics:
Fascist - French resistance - De Gaulle - London

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He became Governor General of Algeria in 1955-56, favouring the integration of the Muslim community in the French Departments along the Mediterranean coast. Soustelle supported De Gaulle's return to power, becoming Information Minister in 1958. In 1959, he was appointed Minister of State in charge of Overseas Departments. Because he disagreed with De Gaulle's policy favouring Algerian independence (see the Algerian war of independence), Soustelle was dismissed from the Cabinet and the Gaullist UNR Party in 1960. His support for an Algeria that would remain a part of the French Republic led to his being wanted for attempting to undermine the authority of the French state. He lived in exile between 1961 and his 1968 pardon.

Related Topics:
Algeria - Muslim community - Mediterranean - De Gaulle - Algerian war of independence - French Republic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Soustelle served in France's Assemble Nationale (France's lower House) three times, first representing Mayenne in 1945-46, then the Rhône (1951-58) as a Gaullist, and from 1973 to 1978 as a member of the centrist Réformateur party.

Related Topics:
Assemble Nationale - Mayenne - Rhône

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Soustelle wrote Envers et contre tout, Aimée et souffrante Algérie, L'Espérance trahie, l'Art du Mexique, Mexique et les Quatre Soleils. He was elected to the Académie française in 1983.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~