Paris (AFP)

The historian Georgette Elgey, author of a monumental and fascinating "History of the Fourth Republic", died at the age of 90, we learned Wednesday from its publisher.

Also a journalist and editor, adviser to François Mitterrand at the Élysée, former president of the High Council of Archives (2007-2016), Georgette Elgey will remain as the author of the "History of the Fourth Republic" (Fayard), one? erudite work and unparalleled reading pleasure to which she has devoted 50 years of work.

Started in 1965 (while the archives on this period were not open to researchers!), His work was completed in 2012 with the publication of the sixth and last volume of his series to the famous yellow cover: "De Gaulle to Matignon ".

Its "History of the Fourth Republic" is now recognized as the reference work on this period, both close and poorly known, which extends from the end of the Second World War to the coming to power of the General de Gaulle.

This classic had just been reissued in a condensed version (in two volumes) in the collection Bouquins (Robert Laffont).

A historian recognized by her peers, Georgette Elgey had not studied history. It was his job as a journalist (L'Express, then New Candide) that taught him to question the actors of that time, to cross check and check sources.

She explained that she had forged her method "on the job" ... with the help of historians like François Bédarida, François Goguel and René Rémond.

In addition to her work as a historian, she was literary director at Fayard, publishing Alain Peyrefitte's bestseller "Quand la Chine Awaken" (1973) and the biographical narratives of medievalist Jean Favier, including "Philippe le Bel "(1978).

She was also the editor of François Mitterrand for "Politics I and II" (1977, 1981).

The story of his life was novel. She herself told it in "The Open Window" (1973) and "All Windows Open" (2017).

She adopted the name Georgette Elgey ... in 1950. Born in 1929, little Georgette officially has no father. His biological father is Georges Lacour-Gayet, historian and member of the Institute.

He is 70 years old when he meets Georgette's future mother, Madeleine Léon, his 25-year-old student. An idyll is tied. Georgette is born but her parent does not recognize her.

When she will have to choose a pen name, Georgette chooses the initials of the forbidden surname: LG who will become Elgey.

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