Maurice Duplessis

Maurice Duplessis

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. He rose to power after uniting his Conservative party and the breakaway Action liberale nationale progressive faction of the Liberal party of Premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau, to form a new conservative party, the Union Nationale.

Although his era later became known as La Grande Noirceur ("The Great Darkness"), Duplessis delivered roads, hospitals, and prosperity for Quebecers. 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.