REYNAUD, PAUL

born Oct. 15, 1878, Barcelonnette, France

died Sept. 21, 1966, Paris

French politician and premier (1940).

After serving in World War I, he served in the Chamber of Deputies (1919–24, 1928–40) and in cabinet positions (1930–32). As minister of finance (1938–40) and premier (1940), he called on France to resist Nazi Germany. After the German invasion, Reynaud resigned rather than conclude an armistice; he was arrested and kept in captivity (1940–45). He returned to the Chamber of Deputies (1946–62) and helped draft the constitution of the Fifth Republic .