Gambetta

Leon Michel, a French statesman; born in Cahors, France, April 3, 1888. He was educated for the Church; but decided in favor of the law, and repairing to Paris became a member of the metropolitan bar in 1859. In November, 1868, he gained the leadership of the republican party. In_ 1869, having been elected by both Paris and Marseilles, he chose to represent the S. city; and in the Chamber of Deputies showed himself an irreconcilable opponent of the empire and its measures. On the downfall of the empire, in 1870, a government for national defense was formed, in which Gambetta was nominated Minister of the Interior. The Germans having encircled Paris, he left that city in a balloon, and set up his headquarters at Tours, from which, he for a short time organized a fierce but vain resistance i the invaders. After the close of the war he held office in several short-lived ministries, and in November, 1881, accepted the premiership. The sweeping changes proposed by him speedily brought a majority against him, and after a six weeks’ tenure of office he had to resign. The accidental ——— of a — caused his death near Sevres, France, Dec. 31, 1882.