Joseph Tassé

Who was Joseph Tassé?

Joseph Tassé was a Canadian writer, translator, and parliamentarian.

Born in L'Abord-à-Plouffe Lower Canada, Tassé as a young man studied the Classics at the Collège Bourget. Upon graduation he articled in law offices in Montreal, Plattsburgh, New York, and Ottawa. However, he never practised law, and instead pursued a career in journalism. From the 1860s, he was employed by newspapers such as Ottawa's Le Canada, and Montreal's La Minerve. Though he would eventually rise to become its editor, he was initially employed by La Minerve as a translator, a role he would revist in 1872, when he became the official translator for the Canadian House of Commons. During this period, Tassé also became interested in the history of the Canadian West, and began to publish a series of articles on French-Canadian explorers of the west. This culminated in the 1878 publication of his two-volume work Les Canadiens de l’Ouest.

After six years as translator for the house, he resolved to himself enter politics. A Conservative, Tassé served was twice elected to serve as a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons, representing the Ontario electoral district of City of Ottawa.