Guesde, Jules (zhül gĕd), 1845–1922, French socialist, whose original name was Basile. Exiled for his support of the Paris commune, he became a confirmed Marxist after 1876 and, with Paul Lafargue, led in advocating socialism in France and a policy of noncompromise with the existing government. Guesde was largely responsible for the formation (1905) of the unified Parti socialiste, which marked the triumph of Marxism over variant forms of French organized socialism. He was a deputy (1893–1921) and served in the cabinet during World War I, when his patriotism overcame his former uncompromising stand. He wrote many socialist pamphlets and articles.

Guesde, Jules

orig. Mathieu Basile

Guesde, 1906

(credit: BBC Hulton Picture Library)

(born Nov. 12, 1845, Paris, France—died July 28, 1922, Saint-Mandé) French labour organizer. He consulted with Karl Marx in 1880 on a socialist program, adopted by a French labour congress, that called on workers to elect representatives who would “conduct the class struggle in the halls of parliament.” He was opposed by “possibilists,” who advocated collective bargaining and support for progressive candidates regardless of party affiliation. He founded the socialist weekly L'Égalité, served in the Chamber of Deputies from 1893, and was minister without portfolio (1914–15).