BESSIS, ALBERT

BESSIS, ALBERT (1885–1972), Tunisian politician. Born in tunis into a distinguished family of writers and dayyanim, Bessis qualified as a lawyer and was elected to the Grand Council of tunisia in 1934 where he became chairman of the committee on legislation. He participated in the negotiations with the French government in the early 1950s that led to the granting of autonomy to Tunisia in 1955. Bessis was minister of housing and town planning from 1954 to 1955 when he became minister of public works. He retained his post following the independence of Tunisia in 1956. He resigned in the following year and retired from public life. Bessis was an active   figure in the Jewish community and was president of the Tunisian ort and other communal organizations. (David Corcos)