Mahmoud el Materi was undoubtedly, one of the main leading figures of contemporary tunisian history. Open and brillant, he detained a vast knowledge, but was nevertheless a man of moderation and humility, and a humanist who dedicated his entire professional and militating life to the service of the people of Tunisia. In a country, stricken then by poverty and widespread human misery, he was a remarkable militant who fought for independence and greatly contributed to the rebirth of modern Tunisia.