Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau
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Chauveau in 1862
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| 1st Premier of Quebec | |
| In office July 15, 1867 – February 25, 1873 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Lieutenant Governor | Narcisse-Fortunat Belleau René-Édouard Caron |
| Preceded by | None (new position) |
| Succeeded by | Gédéon Ouimet |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Quebec County | |
| In office 1844–1855 |
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| Preceded by | John Neilson |
| Succeeded by | François Évanturel |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec for Québec-Comté | |
| In office September 1, 1867 – February 25, 1873 |
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| Succeeded by | Pierre Garneau |
| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Quebec County |
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| In office September 20, 1867 – January 22, 1874 |
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| Succeeded by | Adolphe-Philippe Caron |
| Senator for Stadacona, Quebec | |
| In office February 20, 1873 – January 8, 1874 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph-Édouard Cauchon |
| Succeeded by | Pierre Baillargeon |
| Speaker of the Senate of Canada | |
| In office February 21, 1873 – January 8, 1874 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph-Édouard Cauchon |
| Succeeded by | David Christie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 30, 1820 Charlesbourg, Lower Canada |
| Died | April 4, 1890 (aged 69) Quebec City, Quebec |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Marie-Louise-Flore Masse |
| Signature |  |
Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau (born May 30, 1820 – died April 4, 1890) was an important Canadian lawyer and politician. He made history as the first premier of Quebec. This happened after Canada was formed in 1867.
Chauveau led the Conservative Party. He won the provincial elections in 1867 and 1871. He stepped down as premier in 1873.
He was also active in federal politics. He served in the House of Commons and later in the Senate. After leaving politics, he continued to work in education and law.
Chauveau was very interested in literature and public life. He wrote a novel and many articles about politics. He also cared deeply about education. From 1855 to 1867, he was the Superintendent of Education for Canada East. This area is now known as Quebec.
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Early Life and Family
Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau was born in Charlesbourg. This town is close to Quebec City. His family had lived there for many generations. His father passed away when he was young. So, his mother and his wealthy grandfather raised him.
From 1829 to 1837, he went to the Petit Séminaire de Québec. He was known as an excellent student. He loved literature and reading. Two of his classmates became very famous. One was Elzéar-Alexandre Taschereau, who became an Archbishop. The other was Luc Letellier de St-Just, who became Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.
In 1840, he married Marie-Louise-Flore Masse. They had seven children together. One of their sons, Alexandre Chauveau, also became a politician. Years later, one of his descendants, Thomas Mulcair, became a federal political leader.
Legal Career
Chauveau first thought about becoming a priest. But he chose to become a lawyer instead. He practiced law in Quebec City. He learned from top lawyers, including his uncle. This helped him improve his English skills.
He became a partner in a law firm. Even though he was a good lawyer, he found that law did not make him as much money as he hoped.
Literary and Patriotic Interests
Chauveau was very involved in Quebec City's intellectual groups. In 1838 and 1839, he wrote poems. These poems celebrated the Patriotes from the Lower Canada Rebellion. They were published in a newspaper called Le Canadien.
From 1841 to 1855, he wrote letters for a New York newspaper. These letters shared the French-Canadian view on politics in Canada. In 1853, Chauveau published a novel. It was called Charles Guérin: Roman de moeurs canadiennes.
He also helped start many literary and patriotic groups. He was a co-founder of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Quebec City in 1842. He also led the Société littéraire et historique de Québec in 1843. He was president of the Institut canadien de Québec in 1851 and 1852.
Political Career
In the Province of Canada
Chauveau was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1844. He was re-elected three more times. From 1851 to 1853, he served as a solicitor-general for Lower Canada. He then became Provincial Secretary from 1853 to 1854.
From 1855 to 1867, he was the Superintendent of Education. In this role, he brought in many new ideas for schools.
As Premier of Quebec
In 1867, Chauveau was elected to the new Legislative Assembly of Quebec. He represented the Québec-Comté area. He became the first Premier of Quebec. As premier, he had the important job of setting up the new provincial government. He also served as the Minister of Education and Provincial Secretary.
In 1873, Chauveau resigned from his provincial seat and as premier. He was then appointed to the Senate of Canada.
In Federal Politics
In 1867, Chauveau held two political jobs at once. This was allowed back then and was called a dual mandate. He was a provincial member for Québec-Comté. At the same time, he was a federal Member of Parliament (MP) for Quebec County. He was part of Sir John A. Macdonald's federal government.
In 1873, Chauveau resigned from both his federal and provincial seats. He also left his job as premier. He was then appointed Speaker of the Senate.
Chauveau was Speaker of the Senate for less than a year. In the 1874 federal election, he tried to get re-elected to the House of Commons. He resigned from the Senate to run. However, he lost the election in the Charlevoix area. After this defeat, he retired from politics.
Later Life
In 1878, he became a professor at Université Laval. He taught about Roman law. Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau passed away on April 4, 1890, in Quebec City. He was buried at the Chapelle des Ursulines in Quebec City.
Archives
You can find a collection of Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau's papers at Library and Archives Canada.
Images for kids
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Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau's signature
See also
In Spanish: Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau para niños
