Jules Léger

Jules Léger, PC, CC ( born April 4, 1913 in Saint- Anicet, Québec, † November 22, 1980 in Ottawa ) was 1974-1979 Governor General of Canada.

Childhood and education

Jules Léger was born in 1913 in Saint- Anicet, Quebec and grew up in a religious family. He was the younger brother of Paul -Émile Léger, who later became Archbishop of Montreal, Cardinal. Léger first studied at the Collège de Valleyfield and later at the University of Montreal. After he had finished his studies thereat, he attended the Sorbonne in Paris, where he received his doctorate in 1938.

Later life

On August 13, 1938, he married Gabrielle Carmel ( 1916-1998 ). The couple had two daughters. From 1938 to 1939 Léger was co-editor of Le Droit in Ottawa. He then taught from 1939 to 1942 Diplomacy History at the University of Ottawa. Already since 1940, Léger worked in the Foreign Ministry and began a successful career as a diplomat. In 1953 he was appointed Canadian Ambassador to Mexico. Later, he was Under-Secretary in the Foreign Ministry. 1958 he was appointed ambassador and permanent representative in the North Atlantic Council and the Canadian representative at the OECD in Paris. In 1962, Léger 's ambassador to Italy, and two years later in France. This was followed in 1973 his appointment as Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg. In the same year Léger was appointed Governor General of Canada. The inauguration was held in Ottawa on January 14, 1974. Six months later Léger suffered a stroke while at the Université de Sherbrooke was there to receive an honorary doctorate. On his recovery his wife played an important role. She represented her husband at many events and took over some of his duties, so they leave together with him the throne speech. Your contribution to the tenure of her husband was honored by the joint presentation with this on the official portrait of the Governor General. It is therefore the only spouse of the Governor General was bestowed this honor.

December 1974 Jules Léger had recovered enough back that he could fully take up his duties again. On October 19, 1975 Léger and his wife from the University of Ottawa received an honorary doctorate. 1979 Léger went into retirement and spent the rest of his life in Ottawa.