Frédéric-Auguste Quesnel
Frédéric-Auguste Quesnel, QC (February 4, 1785 – July 28, 1866), was a lawyer, businessman and politician in Lower Canada (now Quebec). He was a member of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council of Lower Canada. Following the union of the Canadas, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada and later was appointed to the Legislative Council. Throughout his career he was a political moderate, seeking greater political power for French-Canadians under British rule, but also supporting the British connection generally. Condemned by the Patriotes as a vendu ("sell-out") in the Lower Canada Rebellion, in 1860 he was elected President of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal.
Frédéric-Auguste Quesnel QC | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for Kent (re-named Chambly in 1829) (4 elections) | |
| In office 1820–1834 | |
| Preceded by | Pierre Bruneau |
| Succeeded by | Louis Lacoste |
| Member of the Executive Council of Lower Canada | |
| In office 1837–1841 | |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Montmorency | |
| In office 1841–1844 | |
| Preceded by | None; new position |
| Succeeded by | Joseph-Édouard Cauchon |
| Member of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada | |
| In office 1848–1866 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 4, 1785 Montreal, Old Province of Quebec |
| Died | July 28, 1866 (aged 81) Montreal, Canada East, Province of Canada |
| Political party | Lower Canada: Parti canadien (moderate) Province of Canada: Anti-unionist; French-Canadian Group |
| Spouse | Marguerite Denaut |
| Relations | Joseph Quesnel (father) Jules-Maurice Quesnel (brother) Côme-Séraphin Cherrier (brother-in-law) Charles-Joseph Coursol (nephew/adopted son) |
| Children | 3 daughters, 2 sons |
| Residence(s) | Manoir Souvenir, Golden Square Mile |
| Education | Collège Saint-Raphaël |
| Occupation | Businessman and entrepreneur |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Britain |
| Branch/service | Lower Canada militia |
| Rank | Captain (1812); Major (1830) |
| Unit | 5th Battalion, Montreal Militia Chasseurs Canadiens 4th Battalion, Montreal |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
His achievements in commerce and finance showed that a French Canadian could make his fortune in business. In 1859, he was elected President of the Banque du Peuple. His home, Manoir Souvenir (now a ruin) was one of the early estates of the Golden Square Mile.