Marius Plateau
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Marius Plateau | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 8 July 1886 |
| Died | 22 January 1923 (aged 36) Paris, France |
| Cause of death | Assassination by gunshot |
| Resting place | Vaugirard Cemetery |
| Occupations | Politician, engineer, political activist |
| Organization | Action Française |
| Movement | Camelots du Roi |
Marius Plateau (8 July 1886, Paris – 22 January 1923, Paris) was a French engineer, WWI sergeant, and royalist militant. Plateau was an editor of the far-right journal of Action Française and a former secretary general of the Camelots du Roi. In 1923, Plateau was assassinated by the French anarchist Germaine Berton, who was later acquitted.
Marius Plateau was born on 8 July 1886 in Paris. Plateau first entered politics in 1908 when he began selling the Revue d'Action Française newspaper, only a few weeks following its inception.[1]
Plateau was involved in the second Thalamas affair, an effort to disrupt the teachings of Amédée Thalamas at the Sorbonne, following his ascension as a delegate to the Camelots du Roi. On 10 February 1909 Plateau, along with other delegates from Action Francaise, proclaimed “Thank you! It will put in my heart a little more hatred for your Republic," amongst other criticisms of the professor. This resulted in him being sentenced to two months in prison.[1]
In October 1909, Plateau was appointed the Secretary General of the Camelots du Roi. In 1910, he, alongside the Camelots du Roi provided flood relief to families affected by the Great Flood of Paris. In 1911, Plateau was arrested for a demonstration against President Armand Fallières. That same year, he formed the National Federation of Camelots du Roi, unifying multiple smaller sects of the Camelots du Roi. He then became secretary general of Action Francaise.[1]
Marius Plateau served as a sergeant during World War I, receiving a commendation for "exemplary courage" stating:[1]
"Vaillant non-commissioned officer, on 20 September 1914, attacking the position of Port-Fontenoy, all the officers of the company having fallen, [he] burst onto a glacis beaten by extremely violent machine-gun fire, to create a diversion and attract the attention of the enemy. Carried off his men by his forceful and driving command, enthusing them with his ardour. Was seriously injured, after giving everyone the finest example of heroism and self-sacrifice."
Plateau left the military having sustained long-term disability and was left partially deaf.[1][2][3]
