Leon Mathis Despres (February 2, 1908 – May 6, 2009) was an American author, attorney and politician.
He was best known as a long-time alderman in Chicago, where he regularly disagreed with then-mayor Richard J. Daley, often engaging in loud arguments and debates on the assembly floor.
[3] Serving until 1975, Despres gained fame as an independent Democrat, consistently opposing the policies of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.
[5] In his final years Despres lived in Hyde Park and remained active in civic life.
[3] Despres died of heart failure in his Hyde Park home on May 6, 2009, at the age of 101.