Ferdinand Buisson was the oldest to take the prize, by chance,
Achieving it for his history of tireless efforts to bring
Peace and right settlements between Germany and France.
He was influenced early by Kant, that reason was the thing
To decide what was best, based on universal principles,
And that peace could be brought only then to the fore
By a public educated in rights, democracy, and example.
His life involved work to achieve education for girls,
The vote for women, separation of church and state,
His “League of the Rights of Man” in French circles
Helped reduce anti-Semitism there and ‘called out’ hate.
In the National Assembly, he promoted teaching history
Less nationalistic and more balanced, teaching peace-loving mores.
And led the French to Germany and Germans to France in peace forays.
June Edvenson 