Robert Lester (politician) facts for kids

Robert Lester was an important businessman and politician in a place called Lower Canada a long time ago. He was born in Ireland and moved to Quebec City when he was a young man.

Robert Lester's Life

This section will tell you more about Robert Lester's journey and what he did.

From Ireland to Quebec

Robert Lester was born in a place called Galway, Ireland, around the year 1746. When he was about 24 years old, in 1770, he traveled across the ocean to the town of Quebec. There, he started his own business as a merchant.

A Busy Businessman

Robert Lester's business was very active. He imported things like cloth and spirits from other countries. He also exported wheat, which means he sent it out to be sold elsewhere. He helped supply food and other items to the army. He even gave small loans to people who needed money.

Later, his business grew even more. He partnered with his nephew, Robert Morrogh. They started trading in timber, which is wood used for building. They also had ships built for their business. They even opened a place to make drinks, called a distillery, and a brewery. Robert Lester also bought and sold land in an area known as the Eastern Townships.

Serving in Politics

Robert Lester was also involved in the community and politics. He served as a captain in the local army, called the militia. This was during a time when the American army invaded in 1775 and 1776.

He was one of the people who worked hard to get a special group of elected people to represent everyone. This group was called a representative assembly. In 1792, he was chosen to be a member of the very first Parliament in Lower Canada. He represented the Lower Town of Quebec. He lost his election in 1796, but he was elected again in 1800. In 1799, he was made a lieutenant-colonel in the militia.

Connecting with the Community

Robert Lester was a Roman Catholic. This helped him build strong connections with the religious leaders in Quebec. He was close with important people like Bishop Joseph-Octave Plessis.

Business Challenges

Even though Robert Lester's business seemed to be doing well, it had borrowed too much money. In 1807, the business went bankrupt. This means it could no longer pay its debts. This was a common problem for businesses that imported goods back then.

His Final Years

Robert Lester passed away in Quebec City a few months after his business went bankrupt. He died on July 12, 1807.