Blaise Diagne

@Senegalese Leaders, Timeline and Family ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Blaise Diagne was one of the most important figures in the history of African politics Senegalese Leaders Political Leaders Libra Celebrities Blaise Diagne was one of the most important figures in the history of African politics. He fought diligently for equal rights as a citizen of France for the people of his home country of Senegal. Born in Senegal to traditional African parents, he was adopted by Adolphe Crespin at a young age. It was Crespin who gave him the name Blaise as his Christian name once he was baptized. This afforded him many opportunities not available to most African children, and he took full advantage. He excelled throughout school and eventually became a customs agent for the French government in 1892. For the next 22 years Diagne spent his days experiencing the negative side of colonialism. This experience had a big role in influencing his decision to get involved in politics. In 1914 he became the first black African in the French government, and his political career only went up from there. He eventually became the dominant political presence in Senegal's Four Communes, whose people he spent his entire career advocating for. From 1914 until his death in 1934 he never lost an election. This is a testament to his strong moral compass that guided his principle of equal rights for all.

Personal Details

Birthday: October 13, 1872 Died on: May 11, 1934 Nationality: Senegalese Famous: Senegalese Leaders, Leaders, Political Leaders Childrens: Adolphe, Raoul Diagne Birth Place: Gorée Gender: Male Information Detail Birthday October 13, 1872 Died on May 11, 1934 Nationality Senegalese Famous Senegalese Leaders, Leaders, Political Leaders Childrens Adolphe, Raoul Diagne Birth Place Gorée Gender Male Sun Sign Libra Born in Gorée Famous as Political Leader Died at Age 61

Gorée

Blaise Diagne born at Unsplash Birth Place

H is son Raoul was the first black to play professional soccer in France. He won several titles in the 1930s and 40s with various clubs. Unsplash Personal Life

He died of Tuberculosis on May 11, 1934. Unsplash Personal Life

He has a boulevard in Senegal named after him, as well as a high school in Dakar and Senegal's international airport. Unsplash Personal Life

Blaise Diagne was born on October 13, 1872, on Goree Island, Senegal. His father was a cook while his mother was a servant. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

His birth name was Galaye M'baye Diagne. He was given the name Blaise when he was adopted by Adolphe Crespin. Crespin had him baptized and gave him the name Blaise as his Christian name. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

Diagne completed his primary education at the Brother of Ploemel School. He excelled in primary school and completed his secondary education in Aix-en-Provence, France. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

Diagne passed the French Customs Service entrance examination in 1891. He started his career as a customs agent the following year. Unsplash Career

His first assignment was in Dahomey in 1892. Unsplash Career

Diagne was a busy man from 1896 to 1914. During this time period he worked in Dakar, the French Congo, the island of Reunion, Madagascar, and French Guyana. Unsplash Career

In 1914, he returned to Senegal to begin a career in politics. He ran for a seat in the French National Assembly and won, beating out Francois Carpot. Unsplash Career

He made an impact in office immediately. In 1916, he put up the bill proposing full French Citizen ship for four coastal communities in Senegal known as "The Four Communes". Unsplash Career

Blaise Diagne's career was one that revolved around equality not just for the Sengalese, but for all people. Unsplash Major Works

During his 22 years as a customs agent working in France's African colonies he witnessed first-hand various civil injustices. This fueled his dedication to a political career, which advocated equal rights for all. Unsplash Major Works

His other major work was his election to the French National Assembly in 1914. He was the first African to be elected to the French government, which cemented his place in the history of African Politics. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	October 13, 1872
Died on	May 11, 1934
Nationality	Senegalese
Famous	Senegalese Leaders, Leaders, Political Leaders
Childrens	Adolphe, Raoul Diagne
Birth Place	Gorée
Gender	Male
Sun Sign	Libra
Born in	Gorée
Famous as	Political Leader
Died at Age	61

Blaise Diagne

Senegalese

Oct 13, 1872

Biography

Personal Details

Gorée