Louis Napoleon Le Roux
Encyclopedia
Louis Napoléon Le Roux was a Breton nationalist. He is also known as Loeiz-Napoleon Ar Rouz in the Breton language
. In 1911 he was one of the founders of the Breton Nationalist Party
with Camille Le Mercier d'Erm
. He typically signed himself Louis N. Le Roux, perhaps in order to avoid using the name 'Louis Napoléon'.
He contributed to the bulletin Brug (heather) published by Émile Masson
from Pontivy
, between 1913 and 1914, which promoted socialist and radical ideas to the peasantry of Lower Brittany. Having exiled himself to Switzerland
to avoid fighting for France in World War I
, he left for Ireland
, where he established good relations with nationalist
leaders.
Le Roux contributed to the journal La Bretagne libertaire in 1921. In 1922, he translated into French the works of Ramsay MacDonald
. He also wrote the earliest biography of Patrick Pearse
. Eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, he became private secretary to the Conservative
politician Harold Macmillan
, before being killed during the London Blitz
of World War II
.
Breton language
Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany , France. Breton is a Brythonic language, descended from the Celtic British language brought from Great Britain to Armorica by migrating Britons during the Early Middle Ages. Like the other Brythonic languages, Welsh and Cornish, it is classified as...
. In 1911 he was one of the founders of the Breton Nationalist Party
Breton Nationalist Party
The Breton Nationalist Party was a French political party that advocated independence for Brittany. It existed from 1911 to 1914.-Origins:...
with Camille Le Mercier d'Erm
Camille Le Mercier d'Erm
Camille Le Mercier d'Erm was a French poet, historian and Breton nationalist. He later adopted the neo-Bardic name Kammermor. He is also known as Kamil Ar Merser 'Erm, the Breton language form of his name...
. He typically signed himself Louis N. Le Roux, perhaps in order to avoid using the name 'Louis Napoléon'.
He contributed to the bulletin Brug (heather) published by Émile Masson
Émile Masson
Émile Masson was a Breton writer and thinker. He also used the pseudonyms Brenn, Ewan Gweznou, and Ion Prigent.Born in Brest, he was not brought up speaking Breton, but acquired the language in later life. He received two degrees and moved to Paris...
from Pontivy
Pontivy
Pontivy is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It lies at the confluence of the river Blavet and the Canal de Nantes à Brest.-History:...
, between 1913 and 1914, which promoted socialist and radical ideas to the peasantry of Lower Brittany. Having exiled himself to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
to avoid fighting for France in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he left for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, where he established good relations with nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
leaders.
Le Roux contributed to the journal La Bretagne libertaire in 1921. In 1922, he translated into French the works of Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay MacDonald
James Ramsay MacDonald, PC, FRS was a British politician who was the first ever Labour Prime Minister, leading a minority government for two terms....
. He also wrote the earliest biography of Patrick Pearse
Patrick Pearse
Patrick Henry Pearse was an Irish teacher, barrister, poet, writer, nationalist and political activist who was one of the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916...
. Eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, he became private secretary to the Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician Harold Macmillan
Harold Macmillan
Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC was Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 January 1957 to 18 October 1963....
, before being killed during the London Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Publications
- Pour le séparatisme la question bretonne essai précédé du manifeste (Rennes: Editions du Parti Nationaliste Breton, 1911)
- La Langue des Relations Interceltiques
- L'Irlande militante: la vie de Patrick Pearse, avec une introduction historique et 15 photographies (Rennes: Imprimerie Commerciale de Bretagne, 1932)