Pyat, FELIX

Pyat, FELIX, a French journalist and communist, born at Vierzon (dept. Cher), on 4th October 1810, studied law and in 1831 was admitted to the bar, but chiefly wrote articles, feuilletons, and plays, often with strong political allusions. He signed Ledru-Rollin's appeal to the masses to arm in 1849, and, the attempt having failed, escaped to Switzerland. After that he found refuge in Belgium and England, and was a member of the 'European revolutionary committee.' Returning to France on amnesty in 1870, he made himself a leader of the Paris communists and took a foremost part in the destruction of the Vendôme Column; on the fall of the Commune he escaped to London. He was tried and condemned to death, in absence, in 1873, for his share in the misdeeds of the Communal Government, but was pardoned in 1880. Marseille chose him one of her deputies in 1888. He died 5th August 1889 at St Gratien.