Son of
Ernest-Henri David (
municipal councillor in the
administration of Paris), he spent his childhood and early adolescence in
Meknes, where his father was assigned as an engineering officer. After attending primary school and the
Lycée Poeymireau in Meknes, he was sent away to complete his secondary education in Paris. Boarding at the
Louis-le-Grand, he rubbed shoulders with
Georges Pompidou and
Senghor, and was awarded his two
baccalauréats. After graduating from the
Sorbonne with a history degree, Jean-Paul David began his political career in 1935 as chief of staff to
Paul Bénazet (in charge of the Senate Air Committee).
Paul Anxionnaz then appointed him Secretary-General for Radical Youth for
Seine-et-Oise, in charge of its reorganisation between 1936 and 1939. When
World War II began, he was mobilised as an officer in the 7th Tank Battalion, where he distinguished himself by his courage and conduct. During the
Occupation he devoted himself to his transport business, which he had created to further the repatriation of French
prisoners of war. He was recognised after the
Liberation of Paris for his activities in the "Police Prefecture" network of the
Organisation civile et militaire. == Political career under the Fourth and Fifth Republics ==