Edgar Faure was born in Beziers, France, in 1908. He trained as a lawyer in Paris where he joined the Radical Party. After the Second World War the popularity of the party declined and rarely won much more than 10 per cent of the vote. However, with other parties unable to obtain a clear majority, the party often played a disproportionately important role in French governments. This enabled Faure to become prime minister in 1952 and in 1955-56.

Other posts held by Faure included Minister of Finance (1950-51), Minister of Agriculture (1966), Minister of Education (1968). Minister of Social Affairs (1969) and president of the National Assembly (1973-79).

Edgar Faure died in 1988.