Found a great documentary on the development of the Pompidou Centre. Watched half of it yesterday, planning to watch the rest today and will take notes.
Georges Jean Raymond Pompidou (5 July 1911 – 2 April 1974) came from a modest farmer family. He studied literature, and started as a teacher a public secondary school in Paris. In 1953, Rothschild, a bank, hired him, and appointed him general manager in 1956 - 1964. President Charles de Gaulle hires him to manage a Down Syndrome foundation. Becomes Prime Minister under President Charles de Gaulle from 1962 - 1968. President of France from 1969 - 74. He continued the de Gaulle policy of modernizing France. 1977 Centre Pompidou inaugurates.
His ascent from teacher to banker to politician is impressive. Especially with he was a novice as banker and as politician.
Based on the documentary, Pompidou was an avid art collector. He had a keen eye on modern and contemporary art. The story of having a conteporary art hung in his presidential office was quite telling.