François Antoine Simon was born 183 years ago in Les Cayes

A Family of Soldiers

Son of Pétion Simon, a soldier in the Republican army, he was descended from Toussaint Louverture through his grandfather Constant Simon. Like his family, he chose a military career and participated in the civil war against Sylvain Salnave. He married Uranie Adélaïde Mentor, who bore him 8 children. After working for the municipal police, he became an officer and then commander of Southern troops in 1883. His half-brother, Tirésias Simon Sam, promoted him to colonel and later to general.

The Revolution of 1908

Military delegate of the government in the South, he was dismissed under the regime of Nord Alexis. His supporters then took up arms, and he led the revolt that overthrew Alexis in December 1908. He was proclaimed president for life on December 16, 1908 and formed a cabinet of six members on December 19.

A Short Presidency

He allowed exiles to return, sought to revive agriculture, and planned a railway network through contracts with American companies. Despite criticism, these contracts led to the paving of streets and electrification of Port-au-Prince. In June 1911, small farmers in the North rebelled. Cincinnatus Leconte took advantage of this and, in August 1911, François Antoine Simon relinquished power and went into exile. Returning to the country in 1913, he died in Les Cayes on March 10, 1923.