Hubert Guerin
Encyclopedia
Quirin Marie Hubert Guerin (born 25 January 1896, date of death unknown) was a French
diplomat
and military officer. He served as an ambassador to Canada
(1949 – 1955), Brazil
(1946 – 1949) and the Netherlands
(1945 – 1946), and represented the exiled French Committee of National Liberation
during World War II
.
in World War I
. He was awarded the Croix de guerre
for his service and shortly after the war was appointed as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. After the war he joined the diplomatic service where he was promoted through the ranks until, in 1943, he joined the exiled anti-Nazi French Committee of National Liberation
in Algiers
, led by Charles de Gaulle
. In 1944, he was appointed as the Committee's representative to the Holy See
. According to historian Peter C. Kent, the Vatican's receipt of Guerin as an envoy at the time of the Allied
landings in France marked "a striking deviation from traditional Vatican practice which would not normally give official recognition to wartime changes of territory and government".
, he was made a Commandeur of the Legion of Honour. In 1949, he was appointed as France's ambassador to Canada, a position which he held until his retirement in 1955. At the time of Guerin's departure, he was the longest serving diplomat in Ottawa
, entitling him to the post of Dean of the diplomatic corps. He was given the Keys to the city of Ottawa.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and military officer. He served as an ambassador to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(1949 – 1955), Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
(1946 – 1949) and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
(1945 – 1946), and represented the exiled French Committee of National Liberation
French Committee of National Liberation
The French Committee of National Liberation was a body formed by the French leaders Gens. Henri Giraud and Charles de Gaulle to provide united leadership, organize and coordinate the campaign to liberate France from Nazi Germany during World War II. The committee was formed on June 3, 1943 and...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early career
Before entering France's diplomatic corps, Guerin served in the French ArmyFrench Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was awarded the Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
for his service and shortly after the war was appointed as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. After the war he joined the diplomatic service where he was promoted through the ranks until, in 1943, he joined the exiled anti-Nazi French Committee of National Liberation
French Committee of National Liberation
The French Committee of National Liberation was a body formed by the French leaders Gens. Henri Giraud and Charles de Gaulle to provide united leadership, organize and coordinate the campaign to liberate France from Nazi Germany during World War II. The committee was formed on June 3, 1943 and...
in Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, led by Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
. In 1944, he was appointed as the Committee's representative to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. According to historian Peter C. Kent, the Vatican's receipt of Guerin as an envoy at the time of the Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
landings in France marked "a striking deviation from traditional Vatican practice which would not normally give official recognition to wartime changes of territory and government".
Career as an ambassador
Guerin was appointed as France's ambassador to the Netherlands in 1945. In 1946, he was appointed to Brazil. During his tenure in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, he was made a Commandeur of the Legion of Honour. In 1949, he was appointed as France's ambassador to Canada, a position which he held until his retirement in 1955. At the time of Guerin's departure, he was the longest serving diplomat in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, entitling him to the post of Dean of the diplomatic corps. He was given the Keys to the city of Ottawa.