Sarrault, Albert

(1872-1962)

   political figure

   Born in bordeaux, Albert Sarrault served as a Radical-Socialist deputy (1902-24) and as a senator (1926-40). He was named governor-general of Indochina (1911-14, 1916-19) and was a minister several times, carrying successively the portfolios of public instruction (1914-15), colonies (1920-24, 1932-33), interior (1926-28, 1934-35), and navy (1930). Premier (October-November 1933), he was recalled in January 1936 to lead the government, but social upheavals such as strikes and political problems (German occupation of the Rhineland) obliged him to retire and give the government to the popular front (June 1936). Minister of state (1937-38), interior (1938-40), and national education (March-June 1940), he was deported to Germany late in the war (1944-45). Sarrault served as president of the Assemblée de l'union française (1951).