Jules Léger
Joseph Jules Léger PC CC CMM CD (April 4, 1913 – November 22, 1980) was a Canadian diplomat and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 21st since Canadian Confederation.
The Right Honourable Jules Léger | |
|---|---|
| 21st Governor General of Canada | |
| In office January 14, 1974 – January 22, 1979 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Roland Michener |
| Succeeded by | Edward Schreyer |
| More... | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 4, 1913 Saint-Anicet, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | November 22, 1980 (aged 67) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Spouse | Gabrielle Léger |
| Profession | Diplomat |
Léger was born and educated in Quebec and France prior to starting a career in the Canadian Department of External Affairs, and eventually served as ambassador to a number of countries. He was in 1973 appointed as governor general by Queen Elizabeth II, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau, to replace Roland Michener as viceroy, and he occupied the post until succeeded by Edward Schreyer in 1979. As the Queen's representative, Léger was credited for modernising the office and fostering Canadian unity.
On June 1, 1979, Léger was sworn into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, giving him the accordant style of The Honourable. However, as a former Governor General of Canada, Léger was entitled to be styled for life with the superior form of The Right Honourable. He died on November 22, 1980.