1-646-654 - Art Media/Heritage Images

Emile Combes, French politician, 20th century. Combes (1835-1921) was Prime Minister of France from 1902-1905. An anti-clericalist and a Freemason, he was responsible for setting France on the road to the separation of church and state. Under his ministry some 10,000 religious schools were closed and many priests and nuns fled the country fearing persecution. French postcard.