THIERS, ADOLPHE. – French statesman and historian, b. at Marseille on 18 April 1797, d. at Paris on 3 September 1877.
He studied law at Aix, then in 1821 began an extensive journalistic career in Paris, collaborating with the Globe and the Constitutionnel. Together with E. Manuel, J. Laffitte, C. M. Talleyrand and C. G. Etienne, he began political opposition to the Bourbons. He achieved renown with the Histoire de la Révolution Française, published between 1823 and 1827. Opposition to Charles X grew more intense after T. had founded, toward the end of 1829 and in collaboration with Mignet and Carrel, a newspaper, the National, which directed public opinion toward Duke Philippe d'Orléans. After the Revolution of 1830 he became one of the most important figures of the new regime: he was deputy for Aix, Councillor of State and Under-Secretary for Finance, then Minister of the Interior in the cabinet of Marshal Soult.
Of his ideals, T. still undertook several assignments: compelled to undergo lengthy treatment, he returned to Paris for further research, which gave him the opportunity to compose the Essai sur l'histoire de la formation et du progrès du Tiers Etat (1853). He spent his final years with Cristina Trivulzio, Princess of Belgioioso, in Paris.
He displayed great firmness in the arrest of the Duchess of Berry and in the suppression of the social disturbances in Paris and Lyon in 1834. After Soult's fall, he was again Minister of the Interior (1835) and President of the Council from February to September 1836.
He resumed power in 1840, but was unable, within the broad framework of a Mediterranean policy, to sustain the Pasha of Egypt, Muhammad 'Alì, an old ally of France. An incomparable orator and rich in experience, he was instead more skillful in the opposition which, from 1840 to 1848, he led against Guizot. After the Revolution of February 1848, he became leader of the party of order, fought socialism and did not oppose the candidacy of Luigi Bonaparte; he contributed greatly to the decision to send a military expedition against the Roman Republic. After the coup d'état he was arrested and exiled. Pardoned after a few months, he returned to France in 1852 and completed the Histoire du Consulat et de l'Empire (1845–62), glorifying the founder of the Empire (in 1840 he had also had Napoleon's ashes transported to Paris). Elected deputy for Paris in 1863 and 1869, he demanded the domestic liberties necessary for France and opposed the foreign policy of Napoleon III favorable to Italian unity. In 1870 he opposed the Franco-Prussian War in vain, and after the defeat he became head of the executive power and then President of the Republic, applying all his competence to the conclusion of peace with Prussia, the elimination of the Paris Commune and the financial reconstruction of France, which made possible the withdrawal of the Prussian troops before the stipulated deadline. A monarchist reaction forced him to resign (24 May 1873); he died in 1877, when the Republic of Gambetta and Favre had by then been consolidated.
As a historian, T. is a master of precision with regard to diplomatic, military and financial details; consequently, the Histoire du Consulat et de l'Empire still retains its importance today, while revealing little interest in the history of ideas, religious consciousness and economics. His style is fluid and straightforward, but lacking in originality and beauty. Considered the leader of the «fatalistic» historical school, he is classified by Fueter among the liberal continuators of Voltairian historiography.