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as well as much of Germany. The empire collapsed after his
death, but he made education compulsory though he was
himself illiterate.
Louis XIV, The Sun King
He reigned from 1643-1715 and became absolute monarch.
His palace at Versailles is testimony to his power. During his
reign, French culture blossomed and the French language
became the universal language of law and diplomacy in the
Western world.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)
A military man from Corsica who came up through the ranks
to eventually become crowned emperor. He created the
legal structure that still dei nes France today. The national
civil legal system, the 'Code Napoleon', and the army of
bureaucrats he organised to administer became the longest
lasting contributions to his country. He died in exile in the
southern Atlantic Ocean.
Charles de Gaulle (1900-1970)
He led the free French from England during World War II and
brought France back to prosperity after the war. While he
said no one could rule a country with 265 cheeses, he did so
very well, thanks to a strong central government.
Nicholas Sarkozy
Former President of France under the Fifth Republic established
by DeGaulle after World War II. As UMP party leader, he also
captured a majority of parliamentary seats following his 2007
election. He ran again in 2012 but was not elected.
Simone de Beauvoir
From a group of writers of French-language literature,
including Andre Malraux, Albert Camus and Jean Paul
Sartre who struggled with human suffering and identity in
the middle of the 20th century. Her book,
The Second Sex
is
considered seminal in the Women's Liberation Movement.
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