Coty, René

(1882-1962)

   statesman

   Born in Le Havre and educated at the university of Caen, René Coty practiced law in his native city, where he also held a number of administrative posts. He served with distinction in World War I, after which (1923) he was elected to his first term in the Chamber of Deputies. There, he became interested in constitutional reform. From 1935 to 1940, he served in the Senate, but after that he was not active until 1944, when General charles de gaulle asked him to join a provisional government. As a member of the Constitutional Assembly, Coty was asked to help draft a new constitution. In 1946, after the establishment of the fourth REPUBLic,he served in the National Assembly and, in 1948, in the Council of the Republic. He was elected president of France in 1953, serving until 1959. Coty supported De Gaulle's return to power and afterward served as a member of the Constitutional Council.