Lyautey, Louis-Hubert-Gonzalve

(1854-1934)

   marshal of France

   Born in Nancy, Louis-Hubert-Gonzalve Lyautey, a graduate of saint-cyr (1873) and of the General Staff school, joined the cavalry. Attracted to the social Catholicism of albert de mun, he spent most of his career in the colonies. After serving in southern Algeria (1879-82), he was sent to indochina (1894) as chief of staff to General joseph gallieni, whom he then accompanied to Madagascar. Recalled to Algeria, Lyautey commanded the region of Ain Sefra (1903), was promoted to the rank of general, made division commander of oran (1906), and occupied Oujda (1907). Named resident general of the French Republic in Morocco (1912) after the events in Fez in 1911 that led to the establishment of a French protectorate in Morocco, he tried to pacify the region, despite the technical difficulties posed at the beginning of World War I. Minister of war in the cabinet of aristide briand (December 1916-April 1917), he returned soon after to Morocco, where he remained during the Rif War (1925). In his colonial policy, General Lyautey discouraged assimilation and tried to promote a truly Moroccan cultural development. He is the author of numerous studies, including Du Role social de l'officier dans le service militaire universel (1891), Du Role colonial de l'armée (1900), Dans le sud de Madagascar, pénétration militaire, situation politique et économique (1903). Marshal Lyautey was elected to the Académie Française in 1912.