Joseph-Édouard Turcotte
Joseph-Édouard Turcotte (October 10, 1808 – December 20, 1864) was a lawyer, businessman, and political figure in Canada East (now Quebec). Born to a merchant family, he considered the priesthood, but after the loss of one arm in an accident, he opted instead for a legal career. In addition to the law, he was engaged in journalism and in business activities in Trois-Rivières.
Joseph-Édouard Turcotte | |
|---|---|
| 7th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada | |
| In office 1862–1863 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Henry Smith |
| Succeeded by | Lewis Wallbridge |
| Solicitor General for Lower Canada | |
| In office December 8, 1847 – March 10, 1848 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph-André Taschereau |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Cushing Aylwin |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Saint Maurice | |
| In office 1841–1844 | |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | François Lesieur Desaulniers |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada | |
| In office 1851 – 1864 (four different electoral districts, five different elections; for details, see succession box at end of article) | |
| Mayor of Trois-Rivières | |
| In office 1857–1863 | |
| Preceded by | J.-B. Lajoie |
| Succeeded by | Louis-Charles Boucher de Niverville |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 10, 1800 Gentilly, Lower Canada |
| Died | December 20, 1864 (aged 56) Trois-Rivières, Canada East, Province of Canada |
| Political party |
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| Spouse | Flore Buteau |
| Relations |
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| Children | 6 daughters, 4 boys |
| Education | Séminaire de Nicolet Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière |
| Occupation | Businessman, journalist |
| Profession | Lawyer |
When he entered politics during the turbulent period of the 1830s, Turcotte was one of the more radical supporters of the Parti patriote, led by Louis-Joseph Papineau. He did not participate in the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837 directly, but continued to make speeches supporting the Patriote cause. He also applied successfully for writs of habeas corpus for Patriotes who had been arrested by the Lower Canada government.
Following the establishment of the Province of Canada in 1841, Turcotte continued his political career. He was a respected member of the Assembly, although he held only one executive position for a short time and was never a member of the Executive Council, the provincial cabinet.
Turcotte died in office as a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1864, at age 56.