Robert Galley

Not to be confused with the American football player and coach Robert Gailey.
Robert Galley
Minister of National Defence
In office
22 December 1980  13 May 1981
President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Prime Minister Raymond Barre
Preceded by Joël Le Theule
Succeeded by Charles Hernu
Minister of Cooperation
In office
27 August 1976  22 December 1980
President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Prime Minister Raymond Barre
Preceded by Olivier Guichard
Succeeded by Jean-Pierre Fourcade
Minister of Public Works
In office
28 May 1974  25 August 1976
President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Prime Minister Jacques Chirac
Preceded by Olivier Guichard
Succeeded by Jean-Pierre Fourcade
Minister of Defence
In office
5 April 1973  27 May 1974
President Georges Pompidou
Prime Minister Pierre Messmer
Preceded by Michel Debré
Succeeded by Jacques Soufflet
Minister of Transport
In office
6 July 1972  28 March 1973
President Georges Pompidou
Prime Minister Pierre Messmer
Preceded by Jean Chamant
Succeeded by Yves Guéna
Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones
In office
22 June 1969  5 July 1972
President Georges Pompidou
Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas
Preceded by André Bettencourt
Succeeded by Hubert Germain
Minister of Scientific Research and Atomic and Space Question
In office
12 July 1968  20 June 1969
President Charles de Gaulle
Prime Minister Maurice Couve de Murville
Preceded by Christian de La Malène
Succeeded by Michel d'Ornano
Minister of Housing
In office
31 May 1968  10 July 1968
President Charles de Gaulle
Prime Minister Georges Pompidou
Preceded by François-Xavier Ortoli
Succeeded by Albin Chalandon
Personal details
Born 11 January 1921
Paris, France
Died 8 June 2012 (aged 91)
Troyes, France
Spouse(s) Jeanne Leclerc de Hauteclocque

Robert Galley (January 11, 1921 – June 8, 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]

The son of a doctor, Galley was born in Paris on January 11, 1921.[2] During the Fall of France in 1940, Galley was able to escape to the United Kingdom disguised as a Polish soldier.[2] 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.[2] Galley later married General Leclerc de Hauteclocque's daughter, Jeanne Leclerc de Hauteclocque, following the end of World War II.[2]

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]

References