Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis (20 April 1890 - 7 September 1959) served as the 16th Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and 1944 to 1959. A founder and leader of the highly conservative Union Nationale party, he rose to power after exposing the misconduct and patronage of Liberal Premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau.
His reign is often referred to in Quebec as La Grande Noirceur ("The Great Darkness"), especially due to the prevalent corruption and for the scandal surrounding the Duplessis Orphans. During the time, the Liberal opposition was unsuccessful in challenging Duplessis' power. Duplessis championed rural areas, provincial rights, anti-Communism and opposed the trade unions.
Contents:
1. Early life
2. Political
career
3. Policies
4. Death and
legacy
5. See also
6. References
7. External links
8. Reference
works
| Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis | |
 Duplessis campaigning in the 1952 election. |
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|
16th Premier of Quebec |
|
|---|---|
| In
office August 17, 1936 - October 25, 1939 |
|
| Preceded by | Louis-Alexandre Taschereau |
| Succeeded by | Adelard Godbout |
| In
office August 8, 1944 - September 7, 1959 |
|
| Preceded by | Adelard Godbout |
| Succeeded by | Paul Sauvé |
|
|
|
| Born | April 20, 1890 Trois-Rivières, Quebec |
| Died | September 7, 1959 (aged 69) Schefferville, Quebec |
| Political party | Union Nationale |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
1. Early life
Born in Trois-Rivières and son of local politician Nérée Le Noblet Duplessis, Duplessis studied at the Séminaire Saint-Joseph de Trois-Rivières, obtained a law degree from Université Laval's Montréal branch (later renamed Université de Montréal) and was admitted to the Barreau du Quebec in 1913. He returned to his home town to practice law until running for public office. He was a life-long bachelor.