Jean de Castellane

Jean de Castellane was a member of the Castellane family from La Provence, one of the oldest families of the French nobility. He was a cavalry officer educated at the famous Saumur cavalry school. He left the army in 1897 in the rank of lieutenant to run for the legislative elections in the Cantal department. He was elected but the result was invalidated for bribery, and he was defeated in the following by-election.

In World War I, de Castellane was reactivated and from 1916 commanded a Machine Gun and Cannon Group assigned to the 4th Cavalry Division. He distinguished himself on several occasions and obtained several commendations. In 1919, he joined a six-month mission in Poland before he returned to civilian life.

De Castellane was a member of the Paris City Council from 1919-1944, and also its president from 1931-1932. He was also a general councilor of the Seine department. From 1921-41, he acted as president of the French Swimming Federation.

His brother, Lionel, Marquis de Castellane-Majastres, won silver in foil fencing in 1920 and acted as a member of the jury of the fencing events of the 1924 and 1928 Olympics.