Léon Laleau

Q: When did Léon Laleau die?

Léon Laleau died on September 7, 1979.

Q: How old was Léon Laleau when they died?

Léon Laleau was 87 years old at the time of death.

Q: When was Léon Laleau born?

Léon Laleau was born on August 3, 1892.

journalist · politician

Born: August 3, 1892
Died: September 7, 1979
Age: 87 years

Deaths in 1979 September 1979 Died on September 7 journalist politician Who Died Today Verified Oct 21, 2026

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Léon Laleau, 87, Haitian writer and diplomat.

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60 Seconds Life Story

Léon Laleau was a distinguished Haitian intellectual and diplomat born in Port-au-Prince in 1892.

60 Seconds Life Story

Léon Laleau

1892 – 1979

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60 Seconds: Léon Laleau's Life Story

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A brief overview of the life and career of Haitian writer and diplomat Léon Laleau.

Transcript

Léon Laleau was a distinguished Haitian intellectual and diplomat born in Port-au-Prince in 1892. He earned two degrees in law and letters before embarking on a multifaceted career. As a prominent politician, he served his country as Foreign Minister and led departments ranging from education to agriculture. His diplomatic reach was vast, including roles in major capitals like London and Paris. Beyond politics, he was celebrated as a brilliant writer who earned the 1962 Edgar Allan Poe Prize. Notably, he signed the 1934 accord that effectively ended the United States' occupation of Haiti. Laleau remained a decorated international figure, holding memberships in the Ronsard and Mediterranean academies. He passed away in 1979 at age 87, leaving behind a profound literary and diplomatic legacy.

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Visual credits: Generated illustration by The Deaths Archive (Generated illustration, not a photograph) · academic.oup.com (Public domain) · Rescue of a Haitian Man from Government Building (CC BY 2.0) · consilium.europa.eu (Public domain) · Generated illustration by The Deaths Archive (Generated illustration, not a photograph) · Own work (Public domain) · Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Full Biography

Léon Laleau (3 August 1892 – 7 September 1979) was a Haitian writer, politician, and diplomat. Laleau is still recognized "as one of the most brilliant writers of his time". He received several international awards, such as the Edgar Allan Poe Prize in 1962. He was also a member of the Ronsard Academy, the Académie Méditerranéenne (Mediterranean Academy). He was recipient of numerous honors, including The Legion of Honor rank of Grand Officer (France), Saint Grégoire (Vatican), and Palms Académique, Arts et Lettres rank of Commandeur (France).

Born in Port-au-Prince, Laleau held two degrees, one in law and another in letters and sciences. As a politician, he was appointed Foreign Minister and Minister of National Education, Agriculture, and Public Works. He served in numerous diplomatic positions, such as Chief of Diplomatic Missions in Rome, London, Paris, Santiago, and Lima and Special Mission Ambassador to Panama, Cuba, the United Nations, and UNESCO. He was a signer of the 24 July 1934 accord which ended the United States' occupation of Haiti.

Selected works

Jusqu'au Bord (1916) - novel
La Danse des Vagues (1919) - novel
A Voix Basse (1920) - compilation of poems
La Flèche au Cœur (1926) - compilation of poems
Le Rayon des Jupes (1928) - compilation of poems
Abréviations (1928) - compilation of poems
Musique Nègre (1931) - poem
Le Choc (1932) - novel
Ondes Courtes (1933) - poem
La Pluie et le Beau Temps - play
Le Tremplin - play

Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

16 Verified Trivia Questions About Léon Laleau

Every question below is stored in the archive and checked against Léon Laleau's record and biography. The correct answer and the reasoning behind it are given with each question.

1.In which city was Léon Laleau born?
- A.Les Cayes
- B.Port-au-PrinceCorrect
- C.Cap-Haïtien
- D.Jacmel
Léon Laleau was born in Port-au-Prince.
Source: biographical introduction
2.On what date was Léon Laleau born?
- A.7 September 1979
- B.15 May 1895
- C.3 August 1892Correct
- D.24 July 1934
Léon Laleau was born on 3 August 1892.
Source: biographical introduction
3.Which of the following academic degrees did Léon Laleau hold?
- A.Political Science and History
- B.Philosophy and Economics
- C.Medicine and Engineering
- D.Law and Letters and SciencesCorrect
Léon Laleau held two degrees, one in law and another in letters and sciences.
Source: education section
4.For which award was Léon Laleau a recipient in 1962?
- A.Edgar Allan Poe PrizeCorrect
- B.Goncourt Prize
- C.Nobel Prize in Literature
- D.Pulitzer Prize
Léon Laleau received the Edgar Allan Poe Prize in 1962.
Source: awards section
5.Of which academic institution was Léon Laleau a member?
- A.The Ronsard AcademyCorrect
- B.The French Academy
- C.The Royal Society
- D.The Haitian Academy of Sciences
Léon Laleau was a member of the Ronsard Academy.
Source: awards and honors
6.What rank did Léon Laleau hold within the French Legion of Honor?
- A.Officier
- B.Chevalier
- C.Commandeur
- D.Grand OfficerCorrect
Léon Laleau was a recipient of The Legion of Honor rank of Grand Officer.
Source: awards and honors
7.Which specific rank did Léon Laleau hold for the Palms Académique, Arts et Lettres?
- A.Member
- B.Officer
- C.Grand Cross
- D.CommandeurCorrect
Léon Laleau held the rank of Commandeur in the Palms Académique, Arts et Lettres.
Source: awards and honors
8.Léon Laleau served as the minister for which of these government departments?
- A.Department of Internal Revenue
- B.Department of National EducationCorrect
- C.Department of Defense
- D.Department of Tourism
Léon Laleau served as the Minister of National Education, Agriculture, and Public Works.
Source: political career
9.Which city is explicitly listed as a location where Léon Laleau served as Chief of Diplomatic Missions?
- A.Madrid
- B.RomeCorrect
- C.Berlin
- D.Tokyo
Léon Laleau served as Chief of Diplomatic Missions in Rome among other cities.
Source: diplomatic career
10.Léon Laleau acted as a Special Mission Ambassador to which international organization?
- A.Red Cross
- B.World Bank
- C.UNESCOCorrect
- D.World Trade Organization
Léon Laleau served as Special Mission Ambassador to the United Nations and UNESCO.
Source: diplomatic career
11.What historic accord was signed by Léon Laleau in 1934?
- A.The 24 July 1934 accordCorrect
- B.The Port-au-Prince Pact
- C.The Haitian Constitution of 1934
- D.The Treaty of Versailles
Léon Laleau was a signer of the 24 July 1934 accord which ended the United States' occupation of Haiti.
Source: political career
12.Besides the Ronsard Academy, of which other academy was Léon Laleau a member?
- A.Académie des Sciences
- B.Académie Française
- C.Académie MéditerranéenneCorrect
- D.Académie des Beaux-Arts
Léon Laleau was a member of the Ronsard Academy and the Académie Méditerranéenne.
Source: awards and honors
13.When did Léon Laleau pass away?
- A.7 September 1979Correct
- B.1 January 1980
- C.3 August 1892
- D.24 July 1934
Léon Laleau died on 7 September 1979.
Source: biographical introduction
14.Which religious entity awarded an honor to Léon Laleau?
- A.The Anglican Communion
- B.The VaticanCorrect
- C.The Lutheran World Federation
- D.The Orthodox Church
Léon Laleau received an honor from the Vatican called Saint Grégoire.
Source: awards and honors
15.Which of these cities was a location for Léon Laleau's diplomatic missions?
- A.Beijing
- B.Moscow
- C.Cairo
- D.LimaCorrect
Léon Laleau served as Chief of Diplomatic Missions in Lima.
Source: diplomatic career
16.How is Léon Laleau still recognized today according to the text?
- A.As a famous painter
- B.As a brilliant writerCorrect
- C.As a professional athlete
- D.As a military general
Laleau is still recognized as one of the most brilliant writers of his time.
Source: biographical introduction