"Clemenceau" drabbles by Steve McBrevity
Outspoken #2
Clemenceau #2
Clemenceau’s jaundiced view of America after his disasterous dalliance with Mary Plummer, is summarised in his arrogant quote: “America is the only nation in history which miraculously has gone directly from barbarism to degeneration without the usual interval of civilization”.
His comments on youth though equally acerbic carry relevance today:
“If my son had not become a Communist at 22, I would’ve disowned him. If he’s still a Communist at 30, I’ll do it then”.
“A young man who isn't a socialist hasn't got a heart; an old man who is a socialist hasn't got a head”.
Plus ça change?
Marriage from Hell #1
Clemenceau #1
Clemenceau arrived in the United States after fleeing France due to involvement in radical political activism.He taught at a girls school in Stamford, Connecticut, which Mary Plummer attended. The two wed in 1869 and moved to France a year later. They had three children but separated in 1876.
Clemenceau had many mistresses, but when his wife took as her lover a tutor of their children, he had her put in jail and sent her back to America on a steamer third class. He divorced her, obtained custody of their children and had her stripped of her French nationality.
Et voilà!
