Pierre Mendès France was a French politician and statesman, born on January 11, 1907. He served as the Prime Minister of France from 1954 to 1955 and was known for his efforts to decolonize French territories, particularly in Indochina. His leadership during the Geneva Conference helped to negotiate an end to the First Indochina War. Mendès France was a member of the Radical Party and later founded the Mendès France Movement. He was an advocate for social reforms and modernization in France, focusing on education and economic development. He passed away on October 18, 1982, leaving a legacy of progressive policies.