27 Facts About Albert Decrais

Pierre Louis Albert Decrais was a French lawyer, administrator, diplomat and politician who was a deputy from 1897 to 1903, then a senator from 1903 to 1915.

Albert Decrais was Minister of the Colonies from 1899 to 1902.

Albert Decrais supported the exploitation of the colonies by concessionary companies, and opposed the slave trade.

Albert Pierre Louis Decrais was born on 18 December 1838 in Bordeaux, Gironde.

Albert Decrais's parents were Louis Decrais, a merchant, and Marie Desiree Debans.

Albert Decrais graduated from the lycee in Bordeaux on 3 August 1857, then went to Paris to study law, where he was a brilliant student.

Albert Decrais joined the bar of Paris and became a licensed attorney in 1867.

Albert Decrais was opposed to the Second French Empire and moved in Republican circles.

Albert Decrais married Marguerite Alice Dethomas, and they had three children.

Albert Decrais resigned on 19 May 1877 in protest against the selection of Albert, 4th duc de Broglie as prime minister.

Albert Decrais was reinstated on 20 December 1877, and on 7 February 1878 was promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honor.

Albert Decrais was appointed Councilor of State on 16 March 1879.

Albert Decrais was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary in Brussels on 8 May 1880.

Albert Decrais was appointed French ambassador to Italy on 11 November 1882, to Austria on 17 July 1886 and was appointed ambassador to Great Britain on 21 July 1893.

From 1880 to 1886 Albert Decrais was a member of the general council of the Gironde.

Albert Decrais ran for election to the legislature in 1896 for the 1st district of Bordeaux, but did not succeed.

Albert Decrais ran as Republican candidate in a by-election for the 4th district of Bordeaux on 21 February 1897, and was elected.

Albert Decrais was reelected on 8 May 1898 and 27 April 1902.

Albert Decrais was Minister of the Colonies from 22 June 1899 to 3 June 1902 in the cabinet of Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau.

Albert Decrais stated that he was in favor of a humane policy towards the natives of the colonies.

Albert Decrais supported the system by which companies were given concessions to exploit areas of the colonies in exchange for paying taxes and developing their areas.

In October 1899 Albert Decrais reorganized the Sudan so that the southern cercles were attached to the coastal colonies.

Albert Decrais said he was not aware of the problem but would ensure that slavery was suppressed.

Albert Decrais received a cable from senator Amedee Knight on 7 May 1902 that said serious damage had been done and asked for humanitarian help.

Albert Decrais sensed that the problem was not urgent, and the request might have political motives, so did not take immediate action.

On 26 April 1903 Albert Decrais was elected to the Senate in a by-election.

Albert Decrais died on 27 February 1915 in Merignac, Gironde aged 76.