# Maurice Papon

> French civil servant, Vichy collaborator, and war criminal (1910–2007)

**Wikidata**: [Q327009](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q327009)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Papon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-papon

## Summary
Maurice Papon was a French civil servant and politician who served as a high-ranking official in the Vichy regime during World War II, later convicted for complicity in crimes against humanity. Born in 1910, he held significant administrative roles in France and Algeria before his wartime collaboration and post-war career were scrutinized, leading to his trial and conviction in the 1990s.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 3, 1910
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: 
  - Lycée Louis-le-Grand
  - École nationale d'administration (ENA)
- **Known for**: Collaboration with the Vichy regime, conviction for crimes against humanity
- **Employer(s)**: 
  - Vichy government
  - French government (post-war)
  - Prefect of Police of Paris (1958–1966)
  - Secretary of State for the Budget (1978–1981)
- **Field(s)**: Public administration, politics

## Contributions
Maurice Papon's career included administrative roles in France and Algeria, notably serving as Prefect of Police of Paris from 1958 to 1966. During World War II, he participated in the Vichy regime's deportation of Jews, for which he was later convicted. Post-war, he held ministerial positions, including Secretary of State for the Budget from 1978 to 1981. His trial (1997–1998) marked a significant legal precedent in prosecuting wartime collaborators.

## FAQs
**What was Maurice Papon's role during World War II?**  
Papon served as a high-ranking official in the Vichy government, directly involved in the deportation of Jews to Nazi concentration camps.

**What notable positions did Papon hold after the war?**  
Post-war, Papon became Prefect of Police of Paris (1958–1966) and later Secretary of State for the Budget (1978–1981), reflecting his enduring influence in French politics despite his wartime actions.

**What was the outcome of Papon's trial?**  
In 1998, Papon was convicted of complicity in crimes against humanity for his role in deporting Jews during the Holocaust and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

**How did Papon's career intersect with the Algerian War?**  
As Prefect of Police of Paris, Papon oversaw law enforcement during the Algerian War (1954–1962), a period marked by political violence and repression in France and Algeria.

## Why They Matter
Maurice Papon's legacy is defined by his dual role as a high-ranking Vichy collaborator and a post-war French politician. His trial in the 1990s brought renewed attention to France's complicity in the Holocaust, challenging the national narrative of resistance. The case underscored the complexities of historical accountability and the slow pursuit of justice for wartime atrocities.

## Notable For
- **Conviction for Crimes Against Humanity**: Convicted in 1998 for deporting Jews during World War II.
- **Prefect of Police of Paris**: Served during the Algerian War, overseeing law enforcement in a turbulent period.
- **Political Resilience**: Maintained a political career despite wartime collaboration, reaching ministerial positions.
- **Historical Significance**: His trial highlighted France's role in the Holocaust and the legal challenges of prosecuting aging collaborators.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Maurice Arthur Jean Papon was born on September 3, 1910. He studied at the prestigious Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris and later attended the École nationale d'administration (ENA), a key institution for French civil servants.

### Career
Papon's administrative career began in the 1930s. During World War II, he joined the Vichy regime, serving as a secretary-general in the Gironde prefecture. In this role, he participated in the deportation of Jewish individuals to Nazi camps. Post-war, Papon transitioned into politics, becoming Prefect of Police of Paris in 1958, a position he held until 1966. This tenure coincided with the Algerian War, during which he oversaw security measures in Paris. He later served as Secretary of State for the Budget from 1978 to 1981.

### Trial and Conviction
In the 1990s, Papon faced trial for his wartime actions. The proceedings, spanning 1997–1998, centered on his role in deporting 1,560 Jews, including children, from the Bordeaux region. On April 15, 1998, he was convicted of complicity in crimes against humanity and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The verdict was upheld on appeal in 2002, though Papon was released in 2003 due to health reasons.

### Legacy
Papon's case remains a pivotal moment in France's reckoning with its Vichy past. His conviction symbolized a shift toward confronting state-sanctioned collaboration, though debates persist about the broader societal complicity during the war. The trial's timing, decades after the events, also raised questions about the feasibility of prosecuting historical injustices.

### Awards and Recognition
Papon received honors during his career, including being named a Knight and later Officer of the Legion of Honour. These recognitions were revoked following his conviction.

### Death
Maurice Papon died on February 17, 2007, at the age of 96, leaving behind a contentious legacy that continues to influence discussions on historical accountability and justice.

## References

1. [Fichier des personnes décédées](https://deces.matchid.io/id/y4RwByCuebRa)
2. BnF authorities
3. LIBRIS. 2012
4. Dictionnaire biographique des préfets (septembre 1870-mai 1982)
5. [Source](https://actu.fr/societe/ces-celebrites-enterrees-en-seine-et-marne_46112692.html)
6. Integrated Authority File
7. Sycomore
8. SNAC
9. Find a Grave
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. GeneaStar
12. Babelio
13. Munzinger Personen
14. [Source](http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/17/europe/EU-GEN-France-Papon-Dies.php)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. Les grandes dates de l'affaire Papon