Robert Galley Explained

Robert Galley
Office:Minister of National Defence
Primeminister:Raymond Barre
President:Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Term Start:22 December 1980
Term End:13 May 1981
Predecessor:Joël Le Theule
Successor:Charles Hernu
Office1:Minister of Cooperation
President1:Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Primeminister1:Raymond Barre
Term Start1:27 August 1976
Term End1:22 December 1980
Predecessor1:Olivier Guichard
Successor1:Jean-Pierre Fourcade
Office2:Minister of Public Works
President2:Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Primeminister2:Jacques Chirac
Term Start2:28 May 1974
Term End2:25 August 1976
Predecessor2:Olivier Guichard
Successor2:Jean-Pierre Fourcade
Office3:Minister of Defence
President3:Georges Pompidou
Term Start3:5 April 1973
Term End3:27 May 1974
Predecessor3:Michel Debré
Successor3:Jacques Soufflet
Office4:Minister of Transport
President4:Georges Pompidou
Primeminister4:Pierre Messmer
Term Start4:6 July 1972
Term End4:28 March 1973
Predecessor4:Jean Chamant
Successor4:Yves Guéna
Office5:Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones
President5:Georges Pompidou
Primeminister5:Jacques Chaban-Delmas
Term Start5:22 June 1969
Term End5:5 July 1972
Predecessor5:André Bettencourt
Successor5:Hubert Germain
Office6:Minister of Scientific Research and Atomic and Space Question
President6:Charles de Gaulle
Primeminister6:Maurice Couve de Murville
Term Start6:12 July 1968
Term End6:20 June 1969
Predecessor6:Christian de La Malène
Successor6:Michel d'Ornano
Office7:Minister of Housing
President7:Charles de Gaulle
Primeminister7:Georges Pompidou
Term Start7:31 May 1968
Term End7:10 July 1968
Predecessor7:François-Xavier Ortoli
Successor7:Albin Chalandon
Birth Date:1921 1, df=y
Birth Place:Paris, France
Death Place:Troyes, France
Nationality:French
Party:UDR
RPR
Spouse:Jeanne Leclerc de Hauteclocque
Alma Mater:École Centrale Paris

Robert Galley (11 January 1921 – 8 June 2012) was a French politician and member of the Free French Forces during World War II, for which he received the Ordre de la Libération.[1]

Galley was born in Paris on January 11, 1921. He was the son of a doctor. During the Fall of France in 1940, Galley was able to escape to the United Kingdom disguised as a Polish soldier. He joined the Free French Forces and was sent to North Africa, including the Battle of El Alamein. Galley was next stationed within General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque's 2nd Armored Division, through which he participated in the Liberation of Paris and the Western Allied invasion of Germany. Galley later married General Leclerc de Hauteclocque's daughter, Jeanne Leclerc de Hauteclocque, following the end of World War II.

After the war, Galley passed the entrance examinations to the French graduate engineering schools and was admitted to the Ecole Centrale Paris, from which he graduated in 1949.

He worked and held various positions in areas of petroleum, nuclear energy, and informatics. From 1955 to 1966, he headed the construction of various nuclear plants and research facilities for the CEA. He was the Deputy Information Officer to the French Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of INRIA in 1967.

Galley began his political career in 1968.[2] He served as a government minister for fourteen consecutive years within the administrations of three French Presidents - Charles de Gaulle, Georges Pompidou and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.[2] Galley held the portfolios of Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Housing, Minister of Research and Space, Minister of Telecommunications, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Defence from 1973 to 1974, and Minister of Cooperation from 1976 to 1980.[2]

Galley also served as Mayor of Troyes from 1972 to 1995.[2]

Robert Galley died in Troyes, France, on June 8, 2012, at the age of 91.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Décès de Robert Galley, ancien ministre et figure du gaullisme . . 2012-06-08 . 2012-06-27.
  2. News: Death of former Gaulist and resistance figure Robert Galley . New 12 . 2012-06-08 . 2012-06-27.
  3. News: Le gaulliste Robert Galley est decede . . 2012-06-08 . 2012-06-27.