Portrait of René Lévesque

René Lévesque

Québécois politician and journalist

Lived
1922–1987
Country
Canada

Updated September 2026

About René Lévesque

René Lévesque was a Canadian politician and journalist who served as the 23rd premier of Quebec from 1976 to 1985. He was the first Québécois political leader since Confederation to seek, through a referendum, a mandate to negotiate the political independence of Quebec. Starting his career as a reporter, and radio and television host, he later became known for his eminent role in Quebec's nationalization of hydro-electric companies and as an ardent defender of Quebec sovereignty. He was the founder of the Parti Québécois, and before that, a Liberal minister in the Lesage government from 1960 to 1966.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Authors like René Lévesque

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.