Who is george étienne cartier

In his personal life, Cartier made an advantageous marriage to Hortense Fabre - uniting two families with deep roots in French society. It was a loveless and lonely marriage. Hortense was an austere, religious women who was uncomfortable in social settings. Cartier soon began a lifelong affair with his wife's cousin Luce Cuvillier.

Luce loved politics and often advised Cartier. She wore pants, smoked cigars and read Byron and the novels of George Sand. Cartier ran for office in at the age of 34 and was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of United Canada.

It would mark the beginning of a long, illustrious career in politics. Cartier worked tirelessly for his constituents and French Canada; rewriting property laws; creating a modern civil code; setting up primary schools for Catholics and Protestants and modernizing the institutions of his province. Cartier, with his long interest in railways, was a strong supporter of the Pacific railway project. In the election of Cartier was imprudent in soliciting large campaign contributions for the Conservatives from Sir Hugh Allan, the leader of a syndicate interested in building the Pacific railway.

Although no corrupt bargain was entered into, there is no doubt that Allan's expectations of receiving the railway charter were aroused through his dealings with Cartier. The Opposition raised the matter in Parliament in April , an inquiry was instituted, and charges were voiced that eventually led to the resignation of Macdonald's government.

Cartier was a distant witness of these sorry events. He had gone to England in the spring of to consult physicians about his health, and he died suddenly in London on May 20, See also A. DeCelles, Papineau; Cartier ; reprinted as vol. Young, Brian J.

For more on Cartier refer to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Media Sign-Up. Sign-up to have the latest Canadian thought leadership delivered straight to your inbox.

He masterfully made use of his block votes and his railway and militia interests to create a new union and a new nationality.

He reconciled the majority of French Canada to Confederation on the grounds that it prevented annexation by the United States. It also made possible the end of the Union government and the restoration of the old Province of Quebec.

Young, George-Etienne Cartier From the Manitoba Historical Society website. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online. From the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame. The Hon. Parliamentarian File for The Hon. From the Library of Parliament website. Search The Canadian Encyclopedia. Remember me. I forgot my password. Why sign up? Create Account. Suggest an Edit. Enter your suggested edit s to this article in the form field below.