Université Laval rectors since 1852
On March 26, 1663, Bishop François de Laval (1623-1708) founded Séminaire de Québec, the predecessor to Université Laval. Official approval was granted by King Louis XIV in April of the same year.
In 1852, the Seminary was granted a royal charter to establish Université Laval, with the ability to confer university degrees. Since then, 26 different rectors have led Université Laval.
Note that from 1852 to 1970, the roles of university rector and superior general of the Seminary were filled by the same person.
Université Laval rectors since 1852
Mgr Louis-Albert Vachon
1960-1972
Mgr Alphonse-Marie Parent
1954-1960
Mgr Ferdinand Vandry
1945-1954
Mgr Cyrille Gagnon
1943-1945
Mgr Alexandre Vachon
1939-1940
Mgr Arthur Robert
1938-1939
Mgr Philéas-J. Filion
1929-1932
Mgr Camille Roy
1924-1927
1929 (February to June)
1932-1938
1940-1943
Mgr Charles-Napoléon Gariépy
1921-1924
Abbé Pierre Hébert
1921
Mgr François Pelletier
1915-1921
Mgr Amédée-E. Gosselin
1909-1915
1927-1929
Mgr Olivier-E. Mathieu
1899-1908
Mgr J.-Clovis-K. Laflamme
1893-1899
1908-1909
Mgr Benjamin Paquet
1887-1893
Mgr Thomas-Étienne Hamel
1871-1880
1883-1886
Mgr Michel-Édouard Méthot
1866-1869
1880-1883
1886-1887
Abbé Elzéar-Alexandre Taschereau
1860-1866
1869-1871
Mgr Louis-Jacques Casault
1852-1860
* Note: François Tavenas ended his term as rector on July 5, 2002. In accordance with Section 146 of Université Laval’s bylaws, Executive Vice Rector Claude Godbout assumed the powers and function of rector on an interim basis from July 5 until October 15, 2002, the date on which Michel Pigeon was elected as 24th rector of Université Laval.