George-Étienne Cartier
Sir George-Étienne Cartier, 1st Baronet, PC (pronounced [ʒɔʁʒ etjɛn kaʁtje]; September 6, 1814 – May 20, 1873) was a Canadian statesman and Father of Confederation. The English spelling of the name—George, instead of Georges, the usual French spelling—is explained by his having been named in honour of King George III.
The Honourable Sir George-Étienne Cartier Bt, PC | |
|---|---|
| Co-premier from Canada East | |
| In office August 6, 1858 – May 24, 1862 | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governors‑General | Edmund Walker Head The Viscount Monck |
| Joint Premier | John A. Macdonald |
| Preceded by | Étienne-Paschal Taché |
| Succeeded by | Étienne-Paschal Taché |
| Minister of Militia and Defence | |
| In office July 1, 1867 – May 20, 1873 | |
| Prime Minister | John A. Macdonald |
| Preceded by | John A. Macdonald |
| Succeeded by | Hugh McDonald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 6, 1814 Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Lower Canada |
| Died | May 20, 1873 (aged 58) London, England |
| Resting place | Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery, Montreal |
| Political party | Conservative Party of Canada, (pre-confederation) Parti Bleu Patriote |
| Spouse | Hortense Fabre |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Parti patriote Republic of Lower Canada |
| Branch/service | Société des Fils de la Liberté |
| Years of service | 1837–1838 |
| Battles/wars | Lower Canada Rebellion |
In the years leading up to Confederation, Cartier was a dominant figure in the politics of Canada East as leader of the Parti bleu. In 1838, he returned to Montreal after a year in exile for his role in the Lower Canada Rebellion. He officially entered politics in 1848. During his long career, he instituted the creation of the Civil Code of Lower Canada, replacing the increasingly out-dated Custom of Paris, which had been used in Lower Canada since it had been a French colony. He also promoted the introduction of primary education in the province. Cartier had several reasons for supporting Confederation, notably his fear of American expansion. He died in London, England, on May 20, 1873. Cartier is considered to be one of the most important of the Fathers of Confederation, along with Macdonald and George Brown. He has been dubbed “The Kingpin of Confederation” because of his prominence.