Eugène Baudin (29 August 1853 – 11 April 1918) was a French porcelain worker and left-wing politician. He became an activist at an early age, and was forced into exile for his activities during the Paris Commune. After returning to France he was arrested twice for his activism before being elected to the legislature for two terms. At first enthusiastic, he became disillusioned and declined to run for reelection in 1898. He returned to porcelain making, and died in obscurity.
Early years (1853–84)
Eugène Baudin was born on 29 August 1853 in Vierzon, Cher. He was the son of a porcelain worker who had a large family. He attended the commune's school until he was ten years old, then became an apprentice at the porcelain factory of M. Bazille in Vierzon. While very young he was influenced by the views of Louis Auguste Blanqui and became a revolutionary socialist. While 17 years old he fought against the official candidate in the 1869 legislative elections. After the election he was condemned to two months in prison for contempt of the emperor.
After Baudin had completed his sentence his employer refused to rehire him. He moved to Paris, where he joined the First International and participated in the events of 4 September 1870 when the Government of National Defense was proclaimed. He enlisted on 7 September 1870 and served in the Francs-tireurs and then the artillery during the Siege of Paris. After the siege he returned to Vierzon. When he heard that troops from Bourges would be going through Vierzon to fight people of Limousin who had declared for the Commune, Baudin assembled several hundred local people to stop them. The next day he led a dozen friends to Paris, where he joined the Commune, fought at Fort d'Issy and was made an officer.
After the failure of the Commune Baudin was condemned in absentia. He went into exile with Édouard Vaillant, first in Switzerland, then in Germany and England. In England he obtained a job as a porcelain worker and married. He could not return to France until the amnesty of 1881.
Local politics (1881–89)
Baudin returned to France in 1881. In 1884 he was elected municipal councilor for Vierzon-Ville and for Vierzon-Village. He chose to represent Vierzon-Ville. In 1885 he ran for election to the legislature as socialist candidate on the list of Félix Pyat-Vaillant, and won 17,000 votes, but was defeated. That year he was elected to the General Council of Cher for the canton of La Guerche.
When strikes broke out in Vierzon, particularly at the Société française de matériel agricole, Baudin strongly supported the workers. He was arrested on 3 October 1885 for having resisted a gendarme who, according to Baudin's friends, was mistreating a woman. The tribunal at Bourges condemned Baudin to two months in prison and the loss of his civil rights for five years. On appeal the judgement was confirmed. His election to the General Council was annulled due to his conviction. After 92 days in prison Baudin returned to Vierzon, and three days later he was reelected councilor. The council made him deputy mayor.
Baudin decided to sit in the General Council of Cher. By order of the Prefect he was asked to leave, but refused. Policemen led by a commissioner entered the General Council room and expelled him. Three months later he was reelected to the General Council for La Guerch in the first round, with his expenses covered by subscriptions from twenty deputies and from his friend. His election was again annulled due to his conviction. He was again physically expelled from the council, and was finally obliged to capitulate and refrain from running in new elections due to lack of money. By his account he continued to advise citizens to support the republic and continued to defend workers against employers in the courts. His workshop was filled with citizens who came to ask his advice.