Georges Pompidou

Georges Jean Raymond Pompidou (July 5, 1911 – April 2, 1974) was President of France from 1969 until his death in 1974. He was born in Montboudif, Cantal, France and graduated from the École Normale Supérieure. A supporter of Charles de Gaulle, he served under him as Prime Minister from April 16, 1962 to July 13, 1968. As Prime Minister during the student demonstrations of May 1968, Pompidou was widely regarded as having been responsible for ensuring that the disorder had a peaceful conclusion. This led to his dismissal by a jealous de Gaulle. Following de Gaulle's resignation in 1969, Pompidou was elected to be his successor as President of France, defeating Acting President Alain Poher. As President, Pompidou, though a Gaullist, proved more moderate than his predecessor, notably allowing the United Kingdom to join the European Community in 1973. He died from cancer in 1974 while in office, which proved a shock to most of the public. Poher succeeded him as acting president. Georges Pompidou had one foster son, Alain Pompidou, now president of the European Patent Office.