Adolphe-Basile Routhier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Adolphe-Basile Routhier
FRSC
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Routhier in c. 1890
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| Born | May 8, 1839 Saint-Benoît (Saint-Placide), Lower Canada
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| Died | June 27, 1920 (aged 81) |
| Resting place | Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | lawyer, author, judge, and professor |
| Known for | Writing the lyrics of the original French version of the Canadian national anthem "O Canada" |
| Title | President of the Royal Society of Canada |
| Term | 1913–1914 |
| Predecessor | Frank Dawson Adams |
| Successor | Alfred Baker |
| Spouse(s) |
Clorinde Mondelet
(m. 1862) |
Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier was a very important Canadian judge, writer, and songwriter. He is best known for writing the words to the original French version of Canada's national anthem, "O Canada". He was born on May 8, 1839, in Saint-Placide, Quebec, and passed away on June 27, 1920.
Contents
Early Life and School
Adolphe-Basile Routhier grew up on his family's farm in Saint-Placide, Quebec. He went to Séminaire de Ste-Thérèse for his early education. Later, he studied law at Université Laval. He finished his studies and became a lawyer in Quebec in 1861.
His Career as a Judge and Writer
Routhier worked as a lawyer in a place called Kamouraska. In 1873, he became a judge in the Quebec Superior Court. He was even the Chief Justice from 1904 to 1906. He also served as a judge for the Admiralty of the Exchequer Court of Canada.
Routhier tried to become a politician several times. He ran as a candidate for the Conservative party in federal elections. However, he was never elected to office.
Besides his work as a judge, Routhier was also a writer. He wrote several books using the pen name Jean Piquefort.
Writing "O Canada"
One of Routhier's most famous works was a poem called "Ô Canada". The Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, Théodore Robitaille, asked him to write it. This poem was first performed at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony in 1880. It later became the French version of Canada's national anthem.
Important Inquiry
In June 1914, Routhier was chosen for an important job. He was one of three judges who looked into the sinking of a large ship. This ship was called the Empress of Ireland. Sadly, over 1,000 people lost their lives when it sank.
His Family Life
Adolphe-Basile Routhier married Clorinde Mondelet on November 12, 1862. They were married in Quebec. Together, they had one son.
Honours and Tributes
Many places and landmarks have been named to remember Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. These names honour his important contributions to Canada.
- Rue Basile-Routhier (Basile-Routhier Street) in Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada.
- Place Basile-Routhier, also located in Shawinigan.
- Rue Basile-Routhier in Montreal, Quebec.
- Boulevard Basile-Routhier in Repentigny, Quebec.
- Avenue Sir Adolphe Routhier in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
