Abraham, Tancrède

Joseph Antoine Tancrède Auguste (French pronunciation: [ʒozɛf ɑ̃twan tɑ̃kʁɛd oɡyst]; March 16, 1856 – May 2, 1913) was the 20th President of Haiti from August 8, 1912 until his death in office on May 2, 1913. He assumed the presidency the day that Cincinnatus Leconte died in office from a massive explosion that destroyed the presidential palace. Auguste served in this capacity for less than one year, as he became ill and died while traveling in the north of the country in early May 1913. Although some claim he was the victim of poisoning, his death was caused by severe anemia due to untreated, advanced syphilis. He was the grandfather of Haitian writer Jacques Roumain.