“L’or combat pour la Victoire” The words echo in my mind as I stand before Rue Raymond Teisseire. This unassuming street in Marseille holds a surprisingly significant piece of the city’s history. It’s named after Raymond Teisseire a man whose life intertwined with French colonialism and World War I.
Raymond Teisseire was born in Marseille in 1864. He was a lawyer and a fervent supporter of France’s colonial expansion. He believed wholeheartedly in the benefits of France’s vast African empire. He saw it as a source of invaluable commercial and industrial resources for France’s future.
Teisseire’s strong beliefs led him to advocate for France’s right to occupy the Upper Nile region against the British. He championed the principle of “right of the first occupant”. His dedication to these views made him a key figure in the Société de géographie et d’études coloniales de Marseille. This society was originally the Société de géographie but changed its name in 1902 reflecting Teisseire’s influence.
During World War I Teisseire’s patriotism shone brightly. He headed the Marseille Gold Committee. Its mission was to collect gold donations from citizens. These donations were exchanged for national defense bonds. This innovative fundraising method helped finance France’s war effort. The committee ran a powerful patriotic campaign under the slogan “Gold fights for Victory”. His efforts earned him the Legion of Honour in 1920.
Beyond his role in the war effort Teisseire was also president of the Marseille branch of the Ligue française. This organization was founded in 1914 to defend the vital interests of France and its colonies. He also founded the Provençal committee of the Marseille Colonial Week in 1925. This annual event was inspired by the 1922 Colonial Exposition. It aimed to popularize the idea of colonization among the public and encourage business investments in colonial infrastructure.
So as you walk down Rue Raymond Teisseire remember the man whose name it bears. He was a powerful advocate for French colonialism. His wartime efforts were instrumental in supporting the French military. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of this seemingly quiet street in Marseille. His story reminds us that even the smallest streets can hold remarkable stories waiting to be uncovered.