François Blanchet (physician)
Encyclopedia
François Blanchet was a physician, businessman, seigneur
and political figure in Lower Canada
.
He was born in Saint-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud
in 1776 and studied at the Petit Séminaire of Quebec
. He went on to study medicine with James Fisher
and then at Columbia College
where he received a Bachelor of Medicine. In 1801, he returned to Lower Canada and passed an exam to allow him to practice as a physician and surgeon. He married Catherine-Henriette, the daughter of seigneur Antoine Juchereau Duchesnay
, in 1802 and set up practice in Quebec City
. He was named as a surgeon for the militia in 1805. In 1806, he was one of the founders of Le Canadien
; because this newspaper was often critical of the authorities, Blanchet was removed from his post in the militia in 1808.
In 1809, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
for Hertford County. Governor James Henry Craig
jailed him for sedition in 1810. However, Blanchet was reelected in that year and continued to hold a seat in the assembly until he was defeated in March 1816; Blanchet was reelected in a subsequent by-election and served until his death in Quebec City in 1830. He was a supporter and spokesperson for the parti Canadien
in the assembly. He was named as a justice of the peace for Quebec district in 1815.
During the War of 1812
, Blanchet served as superintendent for military hospitals in Lower Canada. He served on the medical staff and helped manage the Emigrant Hospital. He was a contributor to Quebec Medical Journal/Journal de médecine de Québec, the first medical journal published in Canada and promoted the development of medical education in the province, both as a physician and as a member of the legislative assembly. In 1830, he was named to the board of medical examiners for Quebec district.
Blanchet had inherited property when his father-in-law died; he also was able to purchase additional property from the other heirs and had acquired other land on his own.
His nephew, Jean Blanchet
, was also a doctor involved in politics, and his grandson, William Henry Chaffers
, served in the Canadian Senate.
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
and political figure in Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
.
He was born in Saint-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud
Montmagny, Quebec
-External links:*...
in 1776 and studied at the Petit Séminaire of Quebec
Petit Séminaire of Quebec
The Seminary of Quebec is a Roman Catholic community of priests in Quebec City founded by Bishop François de Laval, the first bishop of New France in 1663.-History and Mission:...
. He went on to study medicine with James Fisher
James Fisher (physician)
James Fisher was a physician and political figure in Lower Canada.He was probably born in Scotland and came to the Province of Quebec in 1776 as an aide at the military hospital at Quebec City. In 1783, he was named garrison surgeon...
and then at Columbia College
Columbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
where he received a Bachelor of Medicine. In 1801, he returned to Lower Canada and passed an exam to allow him to practice as a physician and surgeon. He married Catherine-Henriette, the daughter of seigneur Antoine Juchereau Duchesnay
Antoine Juchereau Duchesnay (seigneur)
Antoine Juchereau Duchesnay was a seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Beauport in 1740, the son of Antoine Juchereau Duchesnay. He served as an ensign in the army of New France. After the British gained control of Quebec, he served with the British Army. In 1767, he formed...
, in 1802 and set up practice in 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...
. He was named as a surgeon for the militia in 1805. In 1806, he was one of the founders of Le Canadien
Le Canadien
Le Canadien was a French language newspaper published in Lower Canada from November 22, 1806 to March 14, 1810. Its motto was: "Nos institutions, notre langue et nos droits"...
; because this newspaper was often critical of the authorities, Blanchet was removed from his post in the militia in 1808.
In 1809, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada was the lower house of the bicameral structure of provincial government in Lower Canada until 1838. The legislative assembly was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791...
for Hertford County. Governor James Henry Craig
James Henry Craig
General Sir James Henry Craig KB was a British military officer and colonial administrator.-Early life and military service:...
jailed him for sedition in 1810. However, Blanchet was reelected in that year and continued to hold a seat in the assembly until he was defeated in March 1816; Blanchet was reelected in a subsequent by-election and served until his death in Quebec City in 1830. He was a supporter and spokesperson for the parti Canadien
Parti canadien
The Parti canadien or Parti patriote was a political party in what is now Quebec founded by members of the liberal elite of Lower Canada at the beginning of the 19th century...
in the assembly. He was named as a justice of the peace for Quebec district in 1815.
During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Blanchet served as superintendent for military hospitals in Lower Canada. He served on the medical staff and helped manage the Emigrant Hospital. He was a contributor to Quebec Medical Journal/Journal de médecine de Québec, the first medical journal published in Canada and promoted the development of medical education in the province, both as a physician and as a member of the legislative assembly. In 1830, he was named to the board of medical examiners for Quebec district.
Blanchet had inherited property when his father-in-law died; he also was able to purchase additional property from the other heirs and had acquired other land on his own.
His nephew, Jean Blanchet
Jean Blanchet (physician)
Jean Blanchet was a physician and political figure in Canada East.He was born in Saint-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud in 1795. He studied at the Petit Séminaire de Quebec and then studied medicine with his uncle François Blanchet. He completed his medical training in London and Paris; he returned and...
, was also a doctor involved in politics, and his grandson, William Henry Chaffers
William Henry Chaffers
William Henry Chaffers was a Quebec businessman and politician. He was a Liberal member of the Senate of Canada for Rougemont division from 1867 to 1894....
, served in the Canadian Senate.