"Papa Doc" was the nickname given to François Duvalier, the former Haitian dictator who ruled the country with an iron fist from 1957 until his death in 1971. As a ruthless leader, he was known for his authoritarian rule, human rights violations, and personality cult. Some synonyms that could be used to describe Duvalier and his legacy include despot, tyrant, autocrat, dictator, strongman, absolutist, and authoritarian. Other terms that could be associated with him include oppression, corruption, repressive regime, secret police, and political repression. These terms reflect the oppressive and authoritarian nature of Duvalier's regime and the impact it had on the people of Haiti.