Paul Eug鋝e Louis Deschanel (February 13, 1855 - April 28, 1922) was a French statesman. He served as President of France from February 18, 1920 to September 21, 1920. Paul Deschanel was born at Brussels, where his father was living in exile (1851-1859), owing to his opposition to Napoleon III. Paul Deschanel studied law. In October 1885 he was elected deputy for Eure-et-Loir. From the first he took an important place in the chamber, as one of the most notable orators of the Progressist Republican group. In January 1896 he was elected vice-president of the chamber and devoted himself to the struggle against the Left, not only in parliament, but also in public meetings throughout France. In June 1898 he was elected president of the chamber, and was re-elected in 1901, but rejected in 1902. Nevertheless he came forward brilliantly in 1904 and 1905 as a supporter of the law on the separation of church and state. He was elected President of France on January 17, 1920. Deschanel aspired to a much more active role as president than had been de rigueur under the Third Republic; but for reasons of his own mental health was unable to put his ideas to the test. As president, his eccentric behaviour caused some consternation - on one occasion after a delegation of schoolgirls had presented him with a bouquet, he tossed the flowers back at them one by one. It all culminated when, late one night May 24, 1920, he disappeared from the presidential train near Montargis, and was found wandering in his nightshirt by a country stationmaster. This was evidence of the ill health which soon provoked his resignation September 21, 1920. ?007 TopFoto