Léon de Lépervanche

Léon de Lépervanche (21 November 1907 – 14 November 1961) was a Reunionese communist politician, trade unionist and journalist who is known as one of the fathers of departmentalization of the Réunion island alongside Raymond Vergès.

Biography Lépervanche was born in to a mid-upper-class family, nevertheless held a modest position in the Port de La Réunion railways from 1923 and was one of the main trade union leaders on the island. As a chief postman, he was dismissed after the strikes of August 1938, then in 1940-1942 he was subjected to Petain's security checks for two years. His convictions led him in 1941 before the Special Criminal Court set up in Saint-Denis by the Vichy regime.

After his release, he organized support for the Free France Forces, and following the liberation of Saint-Denis by 80 French troops from the destroyer Léopard on 28 November 1942, he took possession of the Hôtel de Ville.

He was mayor of the Port from 1945 until his death in 1961.