BLUM, LEON

Blum, Leon: translation

(1872-1950)

   French statesman. He first worked as a literary critic and author. He was premier in the Popular Front government of 1936-7, vice-premier from 1937-8, and premier in 1938. In 1943 he was handed over to the Germans, who deported him to Buchenwald, but he survived the war and was liberated in 1945. In 1946-7 he was head of an interim government and he became vice-premier in 1948. He was active in Jewish affairs and served on the council of the Jewish agency.