James Le Rossignol
James Le Rossignol was a Canadian scholar, teacher, and writer known for his diverse contributions across various fields, particularly economics. Born in rural Quebec, he pursued his education in Montreal and later received a doctorate from the University of Leipzig in 1892. After a brief teaching stint in Montreal, he moved to the United States, where he held academic positions at Clark College, Ohio University, and the University of Denver, ultimately settling at the University of Nebraska. There, he significantly influenced the School of Business Administration, which he founded in 1919, and served until his retirement in 1941.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Le Rossignol was a prolific writer of fiction, producing five books, including short stories and a novel-like work. His narratives often reflected themes of rural life in Quebec, infused with supernatural and gothic elements, and showcased an idealized version of Québécois farming culture. Although his literary work may not be widely acclaimed, it possesses a charm appreciated by readers, particularly for its folk-inspired storytelling. Le Rossignol was also a family man, married with four children, and he passed away in 1969 in Nebraska.
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James Le Rossignol
Fiction and Nonfiction Writer
- Born: October 24, 1866
- Birthplace: Quebec, Canada
- Died: December 4, 1969
- Place of death: Nebraska
Biography
Scholar, teacher, writer, and polymath James Le Rossignol was born in rural Quebec and attended high school and college in Montreal. After graduation from McGill, he received a doctorate from the University of Leipzig in 1892. After returning to Canada for a very short high-school teaching stint in Montreal, Le Rossignol moved to the United States, teaching first at Clark College, then at Ohio University and the University of Denver. He settled in 1908 at the University of Nebraska, initially directing the school of commerce. In 1919, he founded the School of Business Administration and was active in its leadership until his retirement in 1941.
At various points in his career, Le Rossignol wrote about and taught philosophy, psychology, economics, political science, and literature. Economics was his primary field of interest, and he published six monographs on the subject, as well as numerous articles and essays, including pieces for newspapers and magazines. Although his academic writing was solid and respected and his administrative work significant, Le Rossignol is remembered by his fellow native-born Canadians because of his fiction, which was inspired by his boyhood in rural Quebec.
Le Rossignol published five books of fiction, including four books of short stories and one novel-like work. These works explored themes of rural idyll and pastoral life, usually with supernatural and gothic elements such as witches. His stories idealized a Québécois farming culture that had nearly disappeared by the time of his writing, a culture marked by closeness to the land and strict Roman Catholicism. Although his writing idealizes rural life, it also explores the conflict between the rural past and the industrial present. Scholars find little literary merit in Le Rossignol’s work, but recognize an enjoyable charm in the folk-inspired narratives.
James Le Rossignol was married with four children and was devoted to and engaged with family life. He died in 1969, at home in Nebraska.