Victor Pierre Le Gorgeu

Victor Le Gorgeu (5 May 1881 – 11 September 1963) was a French physician, politician, and resistance figure during World War II. Born in Quimper he pursued a dual career in medicine and public service.

Early life and medical career Le Gorgeu graduated as a physician at the École du service de santé des armées in Bordeaux in 1904, earning accolades for his academic performance. which was brought to an end in 1941 by his refusal to vote on an address of confidence to Marshal Petain. He was also the joint owner of the newspaper La Dépêche de Brest.

Elected senator for Finistère in 1931, he represented the group until 1945.

Resistance activities and postwar roles An outspoken opponent of the Vichy government, Le Gorgeu was one of 80 parliamentarians to vote against granting full powers to Philippe Pétain in 1940. After being arrested, he left Brest for Sarthe and joined the resistance. In 1943, Charles de Gaulle appointed him Commissaire Régional de la République for Brittany to oversee liberation efforts. He helped set up Le Télégramme a regional newspaper to replace Dépêche de Brest which Le Gorgeu had lost control for his and the papers criticism of Vichy.

After the war, he served as President of the Jury for the first class of the École nationale d'administration (ENA) and held various positions, including President of the Conseil supérieur de la Marine marchande and member of the Académie de Marine.

Legacy and honors Le Gorgeu was decorated with the Legion of Honour (commander, 1952), the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, and the Resistance Medal with rosette. Streets in Brest, Quimper, and Rennes bear his name, and the residence at the École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP) is named in his honor.