BÉDARRIDES, GUSTAVE EMANUEL:

French magistrate; born at Aix-les-Bains Feb. 20, 1817; died at Paris June 5, 1899. Graduating from the University of Paris, he entered public life in 1840 as substitute counselor at the tribunal of Aix. Three years later he discharged the same function at the court of the same town, and became successively "avocat-général" and president of one of the sections at the same court. In 1862 Bédarrides was appointed "procureur-général" at Bastia, Corsica; in 1864 he was summoned to the Court of Cassation as avocat-général to the section of penal jurisdiction; and in 1875 he was promoted to be first avocatgénéral.

The ability which he displayed in these capacities gained for him the post of president of the Chambre des Requêtes in 1877. In 1890, when the first president of the entire court resigned, the government had the idea of appointing Bédarrides as his successor. This idea, however, was not carried out, probably on account of Bédarrides' age—he was then seventy-three—but when, two years later, he had to retire under the age regulations, a presidential decree conferred on him the title of honorary first president.

Bédarrides took great interest in Judaism, and in 1867 he was elected to represent the Jewish community of Marseilles in the central consistory of France. In 1872, when Adolphe Franck retired, Bédarrides was elected vice-president of the consistory, which office he held until his death.

Two of Bédarrides' works have been published: "Eloge de Fr. Decormis"; "Du Périer et le Droit Provençal."

Bédarrides was a commander of the Legion of Honor.

Bibliography:
  • La Grande Encyclopédie, v. 1124;
  • Univers Israélite, 1899, No. 38.
S. I. Br.
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