Pierre Pau

Pierre Marie Pau, born in 1756 and died in 1820, was a deputy of the parliament of the Vice-Royalty of Aquitaine from 1815 to his death 1820. He led the liberal movement during the 1820 invasion of Spain by French Royalists.

Early Years
Born in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, France, Pierre Pau was the son of Flore Esther Astride, who was deeply religious and Anatole Césaire Colombe Pau, a distinguished theologist and artist. He later wrote that "In all my years at school I saw no other reason to live than the possibility of emancipating the Occitan people." Educated in engineering and military science at the University of Paris, Pierre Pau began working as an engineer. At the age of 26, Pierre Pau was elected as the mayor of Toulouse, making him the youngest person to hold this title. He was put in jail from 1805 to 1809 after he showed his disapproval to the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Political career
In 1815, after the end of the Napoleonic wars and the creation of the Viceroyalty of Aquitaine, Pierre Pau became a deputy of the house of representatives of Aquitaine, and one year later, the leader of the opposition. He voted for the independence of Aquitaine, and for the separation of the state and the church, although these two laws didn't get enough votes to be applied.

Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint-Louis
In 1820, France invaded Spain in order to set up an absolute monarch. Pierre Pau voted against the motion to support France and created a secessionist group with other liberal deputies. He took control of the few forts in the Pyrenees and led the operation. During the siege of Pau, Pierre Pau was killed by a French bombardment. His burial were organized only in 1848, after the proclamation of the 2nd French Republic.