Catherine Jérémie facts for kids

Catherine Jérémie (1664-1744) was an amazing woman who lived in New France (which is now Canada). She was a skilled midwife, helping women give birth, and also a talented botanist, someone who studies plants.

Her Early Life

Catherine Jérémie was born in a place called Champlain, Quebec on September 22, 1664. Her parents were Jeanne Pelletier and Noël Jérémie, who was a trader. Catherine was the oldest of 11 children in her family.

She first married Jacques Aubuchon in Champlain, Quebec, on January 28, 1681. They had one daughter together. Later, on November 3, 1688, Catherine married Michel LePailleur in Batiscan, Quebec. Catherine and Michel had many children, about 10 or 11.

Catherine Jérémie passed away on July 1, 1744, in Montreal, Quebec.

A Pioneer in Science

In 1702, Catherine Jérémie moved to Montreal with her second husband, Michel LePailleur. There, she continued her studies and research in two important fields: botany and midwifery.

Studying Plants and Remedies

Catherine was very interested in the traditional plant medicines used by the Indigenous communities of Canada. She spent time learning about these plants and discovered many natural remedies. She then used this knowledge to help women, especially with health issues related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Catherine Jérémie was one of the very first botanists in Canada. She is also known as the first female naturalist. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, including plants and animals. She became well-known in the scientific world in France. She sent detailed reports and plant collections to French scientists. These collections were sent to the Jardin des Plantes (Garden of Plants) in Paris. This was encouraged by the French Académie des Sciences, which wanted to learn more about Canada's plants and animals.

An important official in the colony, Gilles Hocquart, even mentioned her work in his reports to France. Today, many of her plant collections are kept at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. Catherine Jérémie made a huge contribution to natural science in New France.

Helping Mothers as a Midwife

Catherine's deep knowledge of herbal plants greatly improved her reputation as a midwife. She could use these plants to help women during pregnancy and birth. In the 17th and 18th centuries, most midwives worked privately. They were often less expensive than doctors and would stay with their clients for longer periods, even helping with household tasks.

Catherine used an "interventionist" approach to healthcare. This means she actively helped her patients, which was different from some English scholars who preferred a "hands-off" approach. She became a very famous midwife. One of her clients even called her "la magicienne de ma vie au Quebec" (the magician of my life in Quebec).