Pierre Laval was one of the most controversial figures in C20th French history. Laval will ultimately be remembered for the way he conspired with the Nazis during their occupation of France and while he was effective political head of unoccupied Vichy France.
Pierre Laval was born in June 28th 1883 at Châteldon in the Auvergne. He trained as a lawyer but moved into politics when he joined the French socialists in 1903. In May 1914, Laval was elected as a deputy for the working-class area of Aubervilliers in northeast Paris. He represented Aubervilliers in the French Chamber between 1914 and 1919 and from 1924 to 1927. Laval also served as the area’s mayor from 1923 to 1944. He swiftly rose through the ranks of French politics and served as a Senator for the Seine from 1927 to 1936 and as Senator for Puy-de-Dâme from 1936 to 1944.
