French soldier who served as the Paris Commune’s Delegate for War
As the Commune’s Delegate for War, he sought to reorganize the National Guard but was arrested amid conflicts with its leaders.
Cluseret served in the French army, Garibaldi’s volunteers and the Union Army during the American Civil War. As Delegate for War of the Paris Commune in 1871, he sought to reorganize the National Guard but clashed with Commune leaders and was arrested on a charge of betrayal; an ad hoc court acquitted him. He escaped France after the Commune’s defeat, returned under the 1880 amnesty, and was elected a socialist deputy for Toulon in 1888, 1889, 1893 and 1898. He later moved away from socialism and joined the anti-Dreyfus camp.
Activities and affiliations
- Military command · France state institutions
Career Timeline
- 1823Born in Suresnes, France.
- 1848As a French army officer, took part in suppressing the June Days uprising.
- 1860Joined Garibaldi’s volunteers and took part in the Italian unification campaign.
- 1861–1863Served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and reached brigadier general.
- 1871As the Paris Commune’s Delegate for War, sought to reorganize the National Guard. Arrested on May 1 amid conflict with its leaders, he was acquitted by an ad hoc court on May 21.
- 1880Returned to France under the amnesty for Communards.
- 1888–1898Elected four times as a socialist deputy for Toulon.
- 1900Died.