Eugene Varlin

Eugene Varlin , born in 1839 with Claye-Souilly (Seine-et-Marne) and dead the May 28th 1871 with Paris, is a socialist militant, member of the Commune of Paris and First International.

International, co-operatives and strikes

Eugene Varlin is born in 1839 in a family from poor peasants. He is apprentice painter in 1862, then becomes craftsman bookbinder in Paris. He then discovers Proudhon of which he reads works. In 1857, it takes part in the foundation of the mutual aid association of the bookbinders. In 1864-1865, it animates the strike of the workmen Parisian bookbinders. He becomes president of the company of saving of mutual credit of the bookbinders whom he helped to create (in favor of the equality of the sexes it made there enter to a high station Nathalie Lemel).

In 1864 is created the International association of the workers, often known under the name of First International. Eugene Varlin adheres in 1865 and takes part to it, with his brother Louis and Nathalie Lemel, with the first strike of the bookbinders. He is delegated in 1865 and 1866 with the first congresses of HAS, London and Geneva where it defends against the majority of the others deputy the right to work of the women.

The same year, it creates the Company of solidarity of the workmen bookbinders of Paris, for which the statutes evoke the need “for continuing the constant improvement of the conditions of existence of the workmen bookbinders in particular, and, in general, of the workers of all the professions and all the countries, and to bring the workers to the possession of their instruments of work”. Its efforts contribute to creation on November 14th, 1869 of the Parisian Federation of the working companies, which later passes to the national scales and will become later on the CGT. Eugene Varlin takes part in the creation of a co-operative, the Housewife, in 1867, and with the opening into 1868 of a co-operative restaurant, the Pot. The latter will count 8.000 members and will close only after the Commune.

In 1869 and 1870, Varlin is stopped several times because of the strikes pushed by HAS in France. In 1870, the Parisian section of HAS publishes a proclamation against the war. Eugene Varlin constitutes sections of International with Lyon, the Creusot and Lille.

With the fall of the Empire, Varlin forms in September 1870 part of the republican Central committee of the Twenty districts of Paris, and becomes member of the Central committee of the National guard under the 193e battalion of which he is the commander. It is revoked of its command after the insurrection of October 31st against the policy followed by the Gouvernement of National defense. During the winter and the head office of Paris by the Germans, it deals with the food of needy by providing the “ pots of Varlin ” with in particular the assistance of Nathalie Lemel and becomes secretary of the council of HAS for France. February 8th, 1871, he is candidate, without success, like revolutionary Socialist with the elections for the National Assembly.

The Commune

At the time of the March 18th, 1871, it takes part in the catch of the Vendôme place. March 24th, it takes part in the drafting of the proclamation-program of the Parisian sections of HAS. He is triumphantly elected on March 26th with the Conseil of the Commune by the Life, XIIe and XVIIe districts, and is named at his committee of supply. He ensures the connection between the working Commune and companies.

May 1st, Varlin as the majority of the internationalists oppose the creation of the Comité of public Hello and sign proclamation of the minority. During the bloody Week, it in vain tries to be opposed to an execution of hostages street Haxo and takes part in the engagements in Belleville.

May 28th, Eugene Varlin is recognized by a priest street Lafayette. Decree, it is brought to Montmartre, where it is lynched, disbudded and finally shot.

Memory

Several schools bear the name of Eugene Varlin, as well as public highways, in particular a street of the 10th district of Paris. A place in the name of Eugene Varlin was inaugurated the June 21st 2006 in the 3 {{E}} district of Lyon, between and the Law courts Labor market.

See too

Sources

Bernard Christmas, Dictionary of the Commune, Flammarion, coll Fields, 1978.
Jean Bruhat, Eugene Varlin, working, revolutionary militant and communard , Paris, EFR and Diderot Club, 1975.

Internal bonds

Common of Paris (1871)
Nathalie Lemel

External bonds

summary Biography of Eugene Varlin and other articles on the Commune
'' Eugene Varlin, working bookbinder '' - context of its action, on the site of Working force
the street Eugene Varlin in Paris
Internet site of the Cabin Maçonnique Eugene Varlin- of the the Great East of France
the place Eugene Varlin on Wikimapia

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