Jean Moulin

Jean Moulin (20 June 1899 – 8 July 1943) was a high-profile member of the Resistance in France during World War II. He is remembered today as an emblem of the Resistance, owing mainly to his role in unifying the French resistance under Charles de Gaulle and his death at the hands of the Gestapo.

Moulin was born on 20 June 1899 in Béziers, France, where worked as a geography teacher. He had a peaceful childhood with his brother and sister. Later, following his father's example, Moulin entertained strong Republican convictions. In 1917 he signed up for the Law Institute of Montpellier, and was appointed an "attaché to the cabinet" at the departmental prefecture for Hérault. Moulin enlisted in the French Army on 17 April 1918, and was assigned to the 2nd Engineer Regiment, but before he could join the battle lines after completing his training, the armistice of 11 November 1918 was signed. De-mobilized at the start of November 1919, he immediately presented himself at the departmental prefecture in Montpellier, where he resumed his old functions the same week. The quality of his work led to promotion, and he became "chef-adjoint de cabinet" at the end of 1920.

After World War I, he resumed his studies and obtained a law degree in 1921. Moulin then entered the prefectural administration as chef de cabinet to the deputy of Savoie in 1922, then as sous-préfet of Albertville, from 1925 to 1930. He was France's youngest sous-préfet at the time. Moulin married Marguerite Cerruti in the town of Betton-Bettonet in September 1926, but the couple divorced in 1928. Biographer Patrick Marnham attributes this to Moulin's mother-in-law, who believed he only married the girl because of an anticipated inheritance.

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