Nemours Pierre-Louis, acting president of Haiti, was born 126 years ago

From high school to the Court of Cassation

Educated in physics and law, Pierre-Louis first taught physics at the Lycée Philippe Guerrier. A law professor from 1928 to 1937, he subsequently became a judge at the Cap-Haïtien Municipal Court. Following the revolution of January 1946, he was elected president of the Court of Cassation.

A turbulent interim

Challenged and isolated, President Paul Magloire left power on December 6, 1956. On December 12, in a radio address, Pierre-Louis announced that he was taking over the acting presidency in accordance with the Constitution. He promised elections for April 1957 and ordered the release of Louis Déjoie as well as other political prisoners.

The departure

Accused of slowing down the investigation into Magloire, he had to face a general strike. In early January 1957, he ordered the seizure of the former president's assets. He left office on February 3, and Franck Sylvain succeeded him on February 7.