François-Xavier Garneau
François-Xavier Garneau was a prominent Canadian historian and notary, born in Québec in 1809. Despite financial constraints during his childhood, he demonstrated exceptional academic talent and an early passion for history, which attracted the support of a local patron, Joseph François Perreault. This encouragement enabled Garneau to pursue his studies, leading him to eventually become a notary after extensive training. Throughout his career, Garneau remained dedicated to documenting and advocating for the French Canadian experience.
In 1837, he published his initial historical account focusing on French Canadian battles, which laid the groundwork for his most significant work, "Histoire du Canada." This comprehensive history, published in three volumes between 1845 and 1848, chronicled the French Canadian narrative from early exploration to the unification of Canada in 1841. Garneau's work was deeply influenced by his conviction that the preservation of French Canadian culture was essential amidst shifting political landscapes. He also served as city clerk of Québec until his death, consistently engaging in issues concerning the French language and identity in Canada. Garneau's legacy endures as a vital contribution to Canadian historiography and the understanding of French Canadian heritage.
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François-Xavier Garneau
Historian
- Born: June 15, 1809
- Birthplace: Quebec, Canada
- Died: February 3, 1866
- Place of death: Quebec, Canada
Biography
François-Xavier Garneau was born in Québec, Canada, in 1809. Because his parents were not wealthy, Garneau attended the local school. He was a brilliant student who had an early interest in history, and at the age of twelve, Garneau attracted the attention of a local official, Joseph Francois Perreault, who later became Garneau’s patron. Perreault arranged for Garneau to continue his studies at a new school that had just opened in the basement of a chapel. Eventually, Garneau became a student instructor at the school.
Garneau wanted to enter the seminary in Québec, but his parents lacked the means to send him to the school, and the school did not want to admit him because he had no desire to become a priest. Garneau was subsequently offered a position in the office of his patron, Perreault. Fortunately for Garneau, Perrault was an educated man who had traveled widely, and he owned an extensive library that he allowed Garneau to use.
In 1825, Garneau decided to become a notary, and he was introduced to Archibald Campbell, an influential notary in Québec. After signing papers of indenture, Garneau embarked on his professional studies. He was allowed to use Campbell’s library during his leisure hours, and he eventually learned Latin and improved his English by reading the work of William Shakespeare, Lord Byron, and John Milton. In 1828, Garneau was hired as a traveling companion for an Englishman, and together they traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. After five years of training to become a notary, Garneau received his license to practice in 1830.
Garneau managed to save enough money to travel to England and France in 1831. While in London, Garneau was offered a position as secretary to a Canadian government official, and he spent the next two years in London copying government reports. In 1833, Garneau returned to Québec, where, for a brief time, he founded and edited a weekly newspaper. After the dismal failure of his newspaper, Garneau reluctantly returned to working as a notary. In 1844, Garneau was elected to the office of city clerk, a position he held until his death.
Garneau was vehemently pro-French Canadian, and he believed that a united Canada would destroy French Canada. In 1837, he published his first account of French Canadian history, which recounted the battles in which French Canadians had participated. In 1840, he signed and circulated a petition denouncing the Act of Union passed by the Canadian government. Garneau was incensed that French was no longer considered as a constitutionally recognized language. Not long afterward, in response to Lord Durham’s remark that French Canadians had no history or literature, Garneau embarked on the most ambitious writing of his career, which would alsobe the work for which he became best known. He compiled a history of French Canada that spanned the years from early French exploration of the territories to the eventual unification of Canada in 1841. Garneau published three volumes of his Histoire du Canada between 1845 and 1848.