Gérald Godin facts for kids
Gérald Godin (born November 13, 1938 – died October 12, 1994) was a famous Canadian poet and politician from Quebec. He was known for his writing and for serving in the Quebec government.
Born in Trois-Rivières, Gérald Godin started his career as a journalist. He wrote for important newspapers and magazines like La Presse.
His most important collection of poems was Les cantouques: poèmes en langue verte, populaire et quelquefois française. This book was published in 1967. In 1970, during a difficult time in Quebec's history known as the October Crisis, he was arrested for a short period under the War Measures Act.
A Career in Politics
In the 1976 Quebec provincial election, Gérald Godin decided to enter politics. He ran as a candidate for the Parti Québécois. This political party wanted Quebec to become an independent country.
Godin won his election in the area of Mercier. He even defeated the person who was the Premier (the leader of the government) at the time, Robert Bourassa.
After winning, Godin served in different important jobs in the government. These jobs are called "cabinet posts." He worked in the governments led by René Lévesque and Pierre-Marc Johnson. His partner in life was the well-known Québécois singer Pauline Julien.
Awards and Legacy
As a poet, Gérald Godin received a special award called the Prix Québec-Paris. He won this award in 1987 for his book of poems titled Ils ne demandaient qu'à brûler.
Gérald Godin passed away in October 1994 from brain cancer.
Today, places are named in his honor. The area around the Mont-Royal metro station in Montreal is called Place Gérald-Godin. One of his poems, Tango de Montréal, is even displayed as a large mural overlooking this square.
Also, a college in Sainte-Geneviève, Montreal, is named after him. It is called Cégep Gérald-Godin.
See also
- List of Mauriciens
- Politics of Quebec
- Quebec general elections
- History of Quebec
- Quebec sovereigntism