Duvalier, François << doo vahl YAY, frahn SWA >> (1907-1971), was president of Haiti from 1957 to 1971. He won the presidency in an election marred by fraud and violence. In 1964, Haiti’s legislature ratified a new constitution recognizing Duvalier as president-for-life.
Duvalier’s regime exerted strong control over Haiti’s independent civil institutions. Duvalier recruited a vast civilian militia and secret police force whose members Haitians called the Tontons Macoutes (bogeymen). These forces attacked suspected opponents of Duvalier and instilled fear in the population.
However, some of Duvalier’s policies appealed to certain groups. He favored individuals with predominantly African ancestry in public office. He replaced a largely European clergy with Haitian officials. Duvalier also employed language and symbols from the average Haitian’s culture and religion to strengthen his popularity.
Duvalier was born on April 14, 1907, to a middle-class family. He was educated in Port-au-Prince and graduated from the medical school of Haiti’s national university. Before entering politics, Duvalier worked as a country physician. He served as Haiti’s minister of labor and public health under President Dumarsais Estimé, who governed from 1946 to 1950. Duvalier died of natural causes on April 21, 1971. His son, Jean-Claude, then became president. See Haiti (History).
