Thomas Chapais

Who was Thomas Chapais?

Sir Joseph Amable Thomas Chapais, FRSC was a French Canadian author, editor, historian, journalist, professor, and politician.

Born in Saint-Denis, Quebec, the son of Jean-Charles Chapais, a Father of Canadian Confederation, and Henriette-Georgina Dionne, he received a Bachelor's degree in 1876 from Université Laval and was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1879.

From 1879 to 1884, he was the Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, Théodore Robitaille. Turning to journalism, he became the Editor-in-Chief of the daily newspaper, Le Courrier du Canada in 1884 and from 1890 to 1901 was the owner. From 1907 to 1934, he was a Professor of History at Université Laval.

In 1891, he ran unsuccessfully as a Conservative for the Canadian House of Commons in the riding of Kamouraska. He was appointed to the Legislative Council of Quebec in 1892 representing Laurentides. From 1893 to 1894, he was the Leader of the Government. In 1893, he was appointed Minister without Portfolio in the cabinet of Louis-Olivier Taillon. From 1895 to 1897, he was the Speaker of the Legislative Council.