The poet Jean-Joseph Rabéarivelo (1901–37) published several volumes of poetry ( Volumes, Presques Songes, Sylves). Jacques Rabémananjara (b.1914), a founder of the MDRM, is well known for his verse play, Les Dieux malgaches. Philibert Tsiranana (1910–78), a Tsimihety teacher, founded the PSD, and became Madagascar's first president in May 1959. Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa (1906–79) was head of state from May 1972 to February 1975. Adm. Didier Ratsiraka (b.1936) became head of state in June 1975 and president of the republic in January 1976.