Jean-Paul Desbiens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean-Paul Desbiens
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Jean-Paul Desbiens in 1960
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Jean-Paul Desbiens
March 7, 1927 Quebec
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| Died | July 23, 2006 (aged 79) |
Jean-Paul Desbiens was a well-known writer, journalist, and teacher from Quebec, Canada. He was also a member of the Marist Brothers, a Catholic group dedicated to education. He was known by his religious name, Brother Pierre-Jérôme.
Early Life and Education
Jean-Paul Desbiens was born on March 7, 1927, in a place called Métabetchouan in the Lac Saint-Jean region of Quebec. When he was 17, in 1944, he joined the Marist Brothers. This group focuses on teaching and helping young people.
He continued his studies at two important universities: the Université de Montréal and the Université Laval. He earned a degree in philosophy in 1958. After finishing his studies, he started working as a high school teacher in his home region of Lac-St-Jean.
A Voice for Change in Education
In 1960, Jean-Paul Desbiens wrote a very important book called Les insolences du Frère Untel. The title means "The Impertinences of Brother Anonymous." In this book, he strongly criticized the quality of public education in Quebec. He also pointed out that the spoken and written French among young people was not very good.
Many people believe this book helped start the Quiet Revolution in Quebec. This was a time of big changes in Quebec society, especially in areas like education and government. Desbiens' book made people think about how to make things better.
He wrote another book in 1965, titled Sous le soleil de la pitié, which means "Under the Sun of Pity." It was a follow-up to his first famous book.
Later Life and Contributions
After his identity became known and his ideas caused some tension with the church, Desbiens decided to leave the Quebec intellectual scene for a while. He went to University of Fribourg in Switzerland. There, he earned a Ph.D. in philosophy.
When he returned, he worked with the Ministry of Education in Quebec. His goal was to help improve the public school system and junior college programs. From 1970 to 1972, Desbiens was the main editorial writer for La Presse, a major Canadian newspaper. He also served as the provincial leader of his religious group for some time.
Jean-Paul Desbiens wrote many essays and even published his personal journal. His writings often explored important ideas about society and education. In 2006, he was honored for his contributions by being named an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest awards a Canadian citizen can receive.
He passed away in Quebec City on July 23, 2006, at the age of 79. He had been battling lung cancer and died from a heart attack.
