Alfred Dreyfus

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Definition

Proper noun: - A historical figure: Alfred Dreyfus was a French army officer of Jewish descent. His wrongful conviction for treason in 1894 and subsequent imprisonment became a major political scandal, known as the Dreyfus Affair, which exposed deep anti-Semitism in French society and divided the nation. He was eventually exonerated and released in 1906.

Usage Examples
  • Proper noun:
    • The trial of Alfred Dreyfus was a pivotal moment in French history.
    • Many writers and intellectuals, like Émile Zola, campaigned for the release of Alfred Dreyfus.
Advanced Usage
  • "The Dreyfus Affair": This term refers to the entire political crisis and scandal surrounding his case, not just the individual. It symbolizes injustice, institutional prejudice, and the struggle for truth and human rights.
    • The Dreyfus Affair revealed the fragility of justice in the face of popular prejudice.
Variants and Related Words
  • Dreyfusard (noun): A supporter of Alfred Dreyfus, advocating for his innocence and release during the Affair.
    • The Dreyfusards included prominent artists, scientists, and politicians.
  • Anti-Dreyfusard (noun): An opponent who believed in Dreyfus's guilt, often motivated by nationalist or anti-Semitic sentiments.
Synonyms
  • There are no direct synonyms for a proper noun referring to a specific historical person. Related conceptual terms include:
    • Wrongly accused figure
    • Cause célèbre (a controversial issue that attracts great public attention)
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • "A Dreyfus-like case": Used to describe a modern instance of wrongful conviction or scandal that divides public opinion along similar lines of prejudice versus justice.
    • The journalist described the trial as a Dreyfus-like case for the 21st century.
Noun
  1. French army officer of Jewish descent whose false imprisonment for treason in 1894 raised issues of anti-Semitism that dominated French politics until his release in 1906 (1859-1935)

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