Léon de Lépervanche

Biography

Léon de Lépervanche was a political figure in Réunion in the early 20th century. Coming from the colony's circles of influence, he entered Réunion public life at a pivotal time, between the wars and just after the Second World War. His best-documented historical role is his part in the departmentalisation process: he was one of the Réunionese elected officials and public figures who supported and co-signed the bill tabled in 1946 to make Réunion a fully fledged French département.

This bill, championed in Parliament notably by Raymond Vergès and, for the French Caribbean, by Aimé Césaire, led to the law of 19 March 1946 that turned the four “old colonies” into overseas départements. For Réunion, this change of status was a major turning point: it opened access to the social rights of mainland France, ended the colonial regime and set the island on a new relationship with the French Republic.

Contribution

Réunion member of parliament who co-signed the 1946 departmentalisation bill; a key player in Réunion's transformation into an overseas département.

Legacy

His signature on the 1946 bill places him among the figures who helped change Réunion's legal and social status.