Carnot, Sadi

Carnot, Sadi (sädēˈ) (kärnōˈ), 1837–94, French statesman, president of the Third Republic (1887–94); son of Hippolyte Carnot. As minister of public works (1880–85) and of finance (1886), he remained untainted by the financial scandals of the time. He succeeded Jules Grévy in the presidency; his tenure was disturbed by the agitation for General Boulanger and by the Panama Canal scandal, concerning bribery of public officials. He was assassinated by an Italian anarchist. Jean Paul Pierre Casimir-Périer succeeded him.