1911-1974. French conservative politician,
president from 1969. An adviser on General de
Gaulle's staff 1944-46, he held
administrative posts until he became
director-general of the French House of
Rothschild 1954, and even then continued in
close association with de Gaulle. In 1962 he
became prime minister, but resigned after the
Gaullist victory in the elections 1968, and
was elected to the presidency on de Gaulle's
resignation.