Here on Rue Alfred Naquet we stand. This street bears the name of a remarkable figure. Alfred Joseph Naquet was more than just a name. He was a chemist and a politician.
Naquet was born in Carpentras in 1834. He became a professor in Paris in 1863. That same year, he also became a professor of chemistry in Palermo. He even gave his lectures in Italian.
But his career took a turn. He lost his professorship in 1867. He also lost his civic rights. This was because he was involved in a secret society. He was sentenced to fifteen months in prison.
In 1869, he faced another prosecution. This time, it was for his book Religion, propriété, famille. Naquet sought refuge in Spain. He returned to France under Émile Ollivier’s government. He actively participated in the revolution of 4 September 1870. He became secretary of the commission of national defense.
Naquet sat on the extreme Left in the French National Assembly. He opposed the policies of successive governments. He was re-elected to the Chamber of Deputies. He began advocating against the existing marriage laws. These laws are what he is most remembered for.
His proposal to re-establish divorce was debated in 1879. It was discussed again in 1881 and 1882. It finally became law two years later. Though he personally disliked the idea of a second chamber, Naquet sought election to the Senate in 1883. He wanted to ensure his measure passed.
In 1884, divorce became legal thanks to his efforts. It was allowed after three years of separation. This could happen at the request of one party. In 1890, he left the Senate. He re-entered the Chamber of Deputies for the 5th arrondissement of Paris. He sided with the Boulangist deputies.
After Boulanger’s suicide, his political influence waned. He faced accusations related to the Panama scandals. Though legally cleared, his reputation suffered. Naquet died in Paris in 1916.
Naquet’s contributions extended beyond politics. His doctoral thesis focused on chemistry’s role in toxicology. He wrote numerous papers on chemistry. His book Principes de chimie fondés sur les théories modernes was widely successful.
He also penned political works. These included Socialisme collectiviste et socialisme libéral and Temps Futurs: Socialisme-Anarchie. Others include L’Humanité et la patrie, La Loi du divorce, L’Anarchie et le collectivisme, and Désarmement ou alliance anglaise.
So, as we stand on Rue Alfred Naquet, remember the man. He was a chemist, a politician, and a reformer. He left a lasting impact on France. His work on divorce laws changed the social landscape.