François Denys Légitime

Who was François Denys Légitime?

François Denys Légitime known as François D. Légitime was a Haitian general who served as President of Haiti from 1888 to 1889.

Légitime was born in Jérémie, Haiti, on 20 November 1841 to Denys Légitime and Tinette Lespérance. Légitime married Rose-Marie Isaure Marion and had nine children: Cuvier, Edmond, Angèle, Antoinette, Denis Jr., Léon, Clemence, Marie, and Agnès.

He served as adjutant general during the government of Fabre Geffrard, and as aide-de-camp during the government of Sylvain Salnave. He was Secretary of State of the Interior and then Secretary of State of the Interior and of Agriculture during the government of Lysius Salomon. During this administration, Légitime was accused of aspiring to the presidency, and accordingly went to Kingston, Jamaica, remaining three years. He then returned to Haiti at the invitation of his followers, and on October 7, 1888 was elected president of the provisional government. General Seide Thelemaque denounced the election as fraudulent and attempted to make himself President, but he was killed in the battle which ensued.