.gif)
François-Xavier Lemieux (Quebec MLA)
Encyclopedia
Sir François-Xavier Lemieux (April 9, 1851 – July 18, 1933), often referred to as F.X. Lemieux, was a Quebec
lawyer, judge and political figure. He represented Lévis
in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
from 1883 to 1892 and Bonaventure
from 1894 to 1897. Lemieux was also Louis Riel
's lawyer in 1885.
He was born at Lévis
in 1851 and studied at the college there, at Quebec City
and the Université Laval
. He articled in law, was called to the Quebec bar in 1872 and became a successful criminal lawyer. In 1874, he married Diane, the daughter of judge Marc-Aurèle Plamondon
.
Lemieux was the head of Louis Riel's defence team, which included several other leading lawyers from eastern Canada, at his trial for high treason
in 1885. Some believe that Riel's lawyers may not have taken advantage of available options for avoiding the death penalty. The jury returned a verdict of guilty with a recommendation for mercy, but the judge sentenced Riel to death. Subsequent appeals of the verdict were dismissed and Riel was executed in November 1885.
In 1892, Lemieux successfully defended Honoré Mercier
against a charge of having defrauded the public treasury. Lemieux was named bâtonnier for the Quebec bar in Quebec district in 1896 and for the province in 1896 and 1897.
Lemieux had been reelected to the legislative assembly in both Lévis and Bonaventure in 1897, but resigned his seat when he was named judge in the Quebec Superior Court
for Athabaska district. In 1915, he was named chief judge in the court. He was knighted in 1915.
He died at Quebec City in 1933.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
lawyer, judge and political figure. He represented Lévis
Lévis (provincial electoral district)
Lévis is a provincial electoral district in the province of Quebec, Canada. Situated in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, the riding, which includes most of the city of Lévis was created in 1853.-Members of Legislative Assembly:...
in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
Legislative Assembly of Quebec
The Legislative Assembly of Quebec was the name of the lower house of Quebec's legislature until 1968, when it was renamed the National Assembly of Quebec. At the same time, the upper house of the legislature, the Legislative Council, was abolished...
from 1883 to 1892 and Bonaventure
Bonaventure (provincial electoral district)
Bonaventure is a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of Quebec that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. It was originally created in 1829.-Geography:...
from 1894 to 1897. Lemieux was also Louis Riel
Louis Riel
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A....
's lawyer in 1885.
He was born at Lévis
Lévis, Quebec
Lévis is a city in eastern Quebec, Canada. It is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, opposite Quebec City. A ferry links Old Quebec with Old Lévis, and two bridges, the Quebec Bridge and the Pierre Laporte Bridge, connect western Lévis with Quebec City. The Société de transport de...
in 1851 and studied at the college there, at Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
and the Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
. He articled in law, was called to the Quebec bar in 1872 and became a successful criminal lawyer. In 1874, he married Diane, the daughter of judge Marc-Aurèle Plamondon
Marc-Aurèle Plamondon
Marc-Aurèle Plamondon was a Canadian lawyer, journalist, publisher, and judge.He was one of the founders of the Institut canadien de Montréal and the Institut canadien de Québec. From 1855 to 1859, he was co-owner and co-editor of the newspaper, Le National of Quebec...
.
Lemieux was the head of Louis Riel's defence team, which included several other leading lawyers from eastern Canada, at his trial for high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
in 1885. Some believe that Riel's lawyers may not have taken advantage of available options for avoiding the death penalty. The jury returned a verdict of guilty with a recommendation for mercy, but the judge sentenced Riel to death. Subsequent appeals of the verdict were dismissed and Riel was executed in November 1885.
In 1892, Lemieux successfully defended Honoré Mercier
Honoré Mercier
Honoré Mercier was a lawyer, journalist and politician in Quebec, Canada. He was the ninth Premier of Quebec from January 27, 1887 to December 21, 1891, as leader of the Parti National or Quebec Liberal Party ....
against a charge of having defrauded the public treasury. Lemieux was named bâtonnier for the Quebec bar in Quebec district in 1896 and for the province in 1896 and 1897.
Lemieux had been reelected to the legislative assembly in both Lévis and Bonaventure in 1897, but resigned his seat when he was named judge in the Quebec Superior Court
Quebec Superior Court
Quebec Superior Court is the highest trial Court in the Province of Quebec, Canada. It consists of 144 judges who are appointed by the federal government.Chief Justices : [partial listing]* Edward Bowen...
for Athabaska district. In 1915, he was named chief judge in the court. He was knighted in 1915.
He died at Quebec City in 1933.