Ludovic-Oscar Frossard

Ludovic-Oscar Frossard (; 5 March 1889 – 11 February 1946), also known as L.-O. Frossard or Oscar Frossard, was a French socialist and communist politician. He was a founding member in 1905 and Secretary-General of the French Socialist Party (SFIO) from 1918 to 1920, as well as a founding member and Secretary-General of the French Communist Party (PCF) from 1920 to 1922.

On 1 January 1923 Frossard resigned his positions and left the Communist movement over political differences. Frossard briefly attempted to establish an independent Communist political organization before returning to the ranks of the SFIO, gaining election to parliament under that party's banner in 1928, 1932, and 1936.

From 1935 until 1940 Frossard held a series of ministerial positions in successive governments of Pierre Laval, Albert Sarraut, Camille Chautemps, Léon Blum, Édouard Daladier, Paul Reynaud, and the first government of Philippe Pétain. Following the armistice between France and Nazi Germany, Frossard declined to participate in the Vichy French government headed by Pétain, but continued to work as a journalist. His position led to his investigation, trial, and acquittal over accusations of collaborationism following the fall of the Pétain regime.

Early years He was born 5 March 1889 in Foussemagne, Territoire de Belfort, France. His father was a saddlemaker who was dedicated to his son's education and success in life.

Following completion of his schooling, Frossard became a schoolteacher, also working as a journalist. He also became involved in Socialist politics, joining the Section française de l'Internationale ouvrière (SFIO), at the time of its formation in 1905. Suspicion of collaboration with the enemy led to an enquiry into his activities at the end of World War II, but he was soon cleared.

Death and legacy Frossard died 11 February 1946 in Paris.

Frossard's son, André Frossard, was a journalist and writer who converted to Catholicism in 1935.

Footnotes