A graduate of the Ecole Normale SupŽrieure and a writer, he joined the Jauressist socialist movement and contributed to L'HumanitŽ. In 1919, as deputy for the Seine at the Tours congress, he led the minority opposed to joining the Communist International. Consistently re-elected as a deputy from 1929, he presided over a Popular Front government from June 4, 1936 to June 21, 1937, which carried out major social reforms. He was President of the Council from March 13 to April 8, 1938. Imprisoned by Vichy, he eloquently defended his cause. Deported in 1943, he was freed in 1945. His moral authority led to his appointment as head of a unified socialist government in December 1946, but he was forced to resign in January 1947.Signed printed photograph applied to cardboard to Paul Langer (2x); accompanying letter.