Jean Zay

Jean Zay (August 6, 1904 – June 20, 1944) was a French politician and intellectual. He served as Minister of National Education and Fine Arts from 1936 to 1939, during the Popular Front government. A prominent figure in French Republicanism and a strong advocate for educational reform, Zay's tenure saw significant changes in the French education system, including raising the school leaving age to 14 and unifying school curricula.

Born in Orléans, Zay was a lawyer by profession. He entered politics as a Radical Socialist deputy for Loiret in 1932. He was a strong supporter of democracy and anti-fascism.

Following the fall of France in 1940, Zay was arrested by the Vichy government, largely due to his political views and Jewish ancestry (though he was non-practicing and had converted to Protestantism). He was falsely accused of desertion and embezzlement. After a show trial, he was sentenced to imprisonment. He was initially held in Riom prison, then transferred to other locations.

Despite his imprisonment, Zay continued to write, most notably his collection of letters and reflections titled "Souvenirs et solitude" ("Memories and Solitude"). These writings are considered an important testament to his unwavering belief in Republican values and his commitment to education.

In 1944, members of the Milice, the Vichy regime's paramilitary force, murdered Jean Zay in a forest near Cusset. His body was discovered after the Liberation.

Jean Zay's contribution to French education and his tragic death have made him a symbol of resistance and Republican ideals. He was posthumously rehabilitated and his remains were transferred to the Panthéon in 2015. He is remembered as a key figure in the history of French education and a martyr for the Republic.