René Lévesque

René Lévesque (1922-1987) was a Quebec politician and journalist who served as the 23rd Premier of Quebec from 1976 to 1985. Starting his career as a reporter and radio and television host, he later became known for his prominent role in Quebec's nationalization of its electric power industry, and as an ardent defender of Quebec sovereignty. He was the founder of the parti Québécois political party and before that, a liberal minister of the government of Quebec from 1960 to 1966 and the first Quebec political leader since Confederation to attempt through a referendum, to negotiate the political independence of Quebec.