Roger Salengro

Roger Henri Charles Salengro (May 30, 1890 in Lille – November 18, 1936 in Lille) was a French politician. He achieved fame as Minister of the Interior during the Popular Front government in 1936. He committed suicide a few months after taking office, after being hounded by a calumny campaign orchestrated by extreme right-wing newspapers.

In 1909, Salengro enrolled at the University of Lille to study literature. The same year, he joined the French Section of the Workers' International, a socialist party, and founded a left-wing students' organisation.

In 1914, he signed up to join the French military for the First World War, despite having spoken out as a pacifist in previous years. Captured by the Germans on October 7, 1915, he became a prisoner of war. He refused to work in a German factory, and was incarcerated. His treatment was harsh; he weighed only 42 kg when he was freed after the war.

In 1918, he became a journalist, and resumed his involvement in politics. In 1919, he was elected municipal councillor in Lille, and general councillor of the canton.

In 1925, Salengro was elected mayor of Lille. He was re-elected in 1929 and in 1935. In 1928, he was elected Member of Parliament, then re-elected in 1932 and in 1936.

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