Definition
"Papa Doc" was the nickname for François Duvalier, the autocratic President of Haiti from 1957 to 1971. He established a brutal dictatorship characterized by repression, corruption, and the use of secret police. The term "Papa Doc" is often used to evoke the fear and control he wielded over the Haitian population. Think of it as a sinister title of absolute power. The nickname belied the cruelty and ruthlessness of his regime. It represents a dark chapter in Haitian history.