14 Facts About Georges Picquart

Marie-Georges Picquart was a French Army officer and Minister of War.

Georges Picquart is best known for his role in the Dreyfus affair, in which he played a key role in uncovering the real culprit.

Georges Picquart began his military career in 1872, graduating from the Ecole speciale militaire de Saint-Cyr as fifth in his year.

Georges Picquart saw service with the 4th Zouaves in Algeria as well as with several regiments of line infantry and chasseurs a pied in Metropolitan France.

Georges Picquart subsequently studied at the General Staff Academy where he was second in his class, after which he became a lecturer at the War Academy.

Georges Picquart was then appointed to the General Staff in Paris.

Georges Picquart was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel on 6 April 1896.

Georges Picquart was appointed chief of the army's intelligence section in 1895.

Several high-ranking generals warned Georges Picquart to conceal his discovery, but Georges Picquart continued his investigation.

Georges Picquart was then arrested for forgery and was waiting for a court-martial, while the French Court of Cassation was reviewing the Dreyfus case.

However, the exoneration of Dreyfus in 1906 absolved Georges Picquart, who was, by an act of the French Chamber of Deputies, promoted to brigadier general.

Georges Picquart held that position for the entire duration of the Clemenceau Cabinet, from 25 October 1906 to 24 July 1909.

Georges Picquart then returned to military service as an Army Corps commander.

Georges Picquart was raised in an ardent Catholic family, but later left religion and became an agnostic.