2-755-851 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Gambetta', c1872. Portrait of French politician Leon Gambetta (1838-1882), an opponent of the French Second Empire. In 1870 he proclaimed the Third Republic after Napoleon III was captured by the Prussians after the Battle of Sedan. Gambetta himself famously escaped from Paris in a hot air balloon when the city was besieged by the Prussians, rallying support for resistance to the invaders in the provinces. Gambetta did not actually hold office until a brief and unsuccessful period as premier in 1881-1882. From "The Franco-Prussian War: its causes, incidents and consequences", Volume II, by Captain H M Hozier. [William Mackenzie, London, 1872]