François Duvalier

"Papa Doc," the dictator who ruled Haiti through a secret police.

Life

Physician

Duvalier was originally a physician who had worked in public health campaigns against tropical diseases, and the people called him "Papa Doc." In 1957 he was elected President of Haiti.

Tonton Macoute

He quickly established a dictatorship, formed a private militia, the Tonton Macoute, to terrorize and kill opponents, and used the mystique of Vodou to build a personality cult. In 1964 he declared himself President for Life. Large numbers of intellectuals and professionals fled Haiti.

President for Life

He died in 1971 and was succeeded by his 19-year-old son Jean-Claude ("Baby Doc"), who ruled until 1986.

Legacy

The Duvaliers, father and son, ruled Haiti for nearly thirty years; tens of thousands of people are estimated to have been killed, and Haiti is still deeply affected by this history.

Did you know? "Tonton Macoute" comes from a bogeyman in Haitian folklore who carries naughty children away in a sack.

Key dates

• 1957Elected President
• 1959Forms the Tonton Macoute
• 1964Declares himself President for Life
• 1971Died; succeeded by his son