Faure, Félix

Faure, Félix (fālēks` fōr), 1841–99, president of the French republic (1895–99). A leather merchant, he served in the Franco-Prussian War and became an undersecretary for commerce and colonies in the cabinet of Léon Gambetta (1881–82). He later (1882–85, 1888) occupied the post again and was vice president of the chamber of deputies and naval minister before becoming president. The Dreyfus Affair was a notable development in his administration, and Faure marred his reputation by opposing a new trial. The Franco-Russian alliance was concluded, and the Fashoda Incident occurred while he held office. Émile Loubet succeeded him as president.

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Faure, (François-) Félix

(born Jan. 30, 1841, Paris, France—died Feb. 16, 1899, Paris) President of the French Third Republic (1895–99). A successful industrialist in Le Havre, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies (1881). After serving in several cabinet posts, he was elected president of France in an unexpected victory that was a rebuff to the political left. He opposed reopening the case of Alfred Dreyfus, the dominating issue of his presidency, and his position encouraged agitation from both left and right political factions. He died suddenly, and his funeral was the scene of a confrontation between pro- and anti-Dreyfus groups.