Queuille, Henri (1884–1970)

French statesman. He became a Radical-Socialist deputy in 1914. He held office several times from 1933 onwards, and in 1940 was minister of finance. After the collapse of France in World War II he crossed to England and joined Charles de Gaulle. With the acute domestic crisis of mid-1948, when the political situation demanded a premier of middle-class liberal outlook, free from extreme ideological bias and of lifelong experience in public administration, Queuille became premier; he remained in office until October 1949, when he was succeeded by Bidault. Queuille subsequently held numerous offices in various governments and was premier again in July 1950 and in March–August 1951. Queuille was born in Corrèze, France. He studied medicine before entering politics.