Joseph Lakanal, 1762-1845

If there was a great servant of the state Republican, it was Joseph Lakanal. At once modest, determined, hardworking and integrated, gifted with a keen critical mind, he played a key role in the founding of our school and our most prestigious cultural institutions. Fluctuations in our history have marked the career of this son of a farmer, who is a professor at the member of the Institute, through the Conventional and super prefect. We follow in his political life in Paris, his various missions in France and in the revolutionary Rhine. It is carving a niche player in the world of education, strong political commitment and philosophy. We share his painful exile in the United States, his life as a planter in Louisiana back to France under the July Monarchy. These very different slices of life are attracting renewed interest and provide continual surprises that relate to circumstances or personal decisions made by Lakanal. His whole life testifies to his commitment, serving noble values and firm, making him a great historical figure. His life, his choices and his work make him an apostle of the Republic.