BARDOUX, AGENOR (1829-1897), French statesman, was a native of Bourges. In 1871 he was elected deputy of the National Assembly, and re-elected in 1876 and in 1877. In the chamber he was president of the group of the left centre, standing strongly for the republic but against anti-clericalism. After the coup d'etat of May 16 1877, he was one of the leaders of the "363" (see FRANCE: History). In the republican chamber elected after May 16, he became minister of public instruction (Dec. and proposed various republican laws, notably on compulsory primary education. He resigned in 1879. He was not re-elected in 1881, but in Dec. 1882 was named senator for life. He wrote essays on Les Legistes et leer influence sur la societe f rancaise (1878) ; Le Comte de Montlosier et le Gallicanisme 0880; and published in 1882 his Dix Annees de vie politique.