George-Barthélemy Faribault
Encyclopedia
George-Barthélemy Faribault (December 3, 1789-1866) was a Canadian archaeologist, born in Quebec
.
Faribault was a first cousin of Jean-Baptiste, father of Alexander, founder of the city of Faribault, Minnesota
, U.S.A.. After attending a school taught by a Scottish veteran of Wolfe
's army, he completed by personal efforts the course preparatory to the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1811.
In 1812, Faribault served as a militiaman during the invasion of Canada by the Americans
. In 1822, he entered the civil service, attaining in 1832 the rank of assistant clerk of the Legislative Assembly, an office he continued to hold after the union of the Canadas (1841) until 1855, when ill-health forced him to resign.
Passionately fond of his country and of its past glories, he spent all his leisure in collecting documents and books pertaining to Canadian history. His fine collection (1700) of rare books and original manuscripts perished at the burning of the Parliament House in Montreal
(1849). He courageously began a second collection, which he bequeathed to Université Laval
.
Faribault published no original works, merely reproducing and annotating a series of rare historical papers in the transactions of the Quebec Literary and Historical Society, of which he was one of the chief promoters and benefactors. His principal publication is the Catalogue of Works relating to the history of America, with bibliographical, critical, and literary notes (Quebec, 1837), which, although superseded by a few later catalogues, ranks among the best. In 1859, he realized the long-postponed plan, conceived in 1761 by Montcalm's
companions in arms, of erecting a memorial tablet over the soldier's grave. The epitaph written by the French Academy at the time the subject was first brought up and approved by William Pitt
, was duly inscribed. In private life, Faribault was the type of the Christian
gentleman, modest, hospitable, and charitable. He counted none but friend, and left the record of a blameless career, devoted to the service of God and country. He died in 1866.
His daughter, Mathilde-Georgiana Faribault, married the Quebec portrait artist Théophile Hamel
, (1817–1870).
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....
.
Faribault was a first cousin of Jean-Baptiste, father of Alexander, founder of the city of Faribault, Minnesota
Faribault, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,818 people, 7,472 households, and 4,946 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,644.8 people per square mile . There were 7,668 housing units at an average density of 605.8 per square mile...
, U.S.A.. After attending a school taught by a Scottish veteran of Wolfe
James Wolfe
Major General James P. Wolfe was a British Army officer, known for his training reforms but remembered chiefly for his victory over the French in Canada...
's army, he completed by personal efforts the course preparatory to the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1811.
In 1812, Faribault served as a militiaman during the invasion of Canada by the Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1822, he entered the civil service, attaining in 1832 the rank of assistant clerk of the Legislative Assembly, an office he continued to hold after the union of the Canadas (1841) until 1855, when ill-health forced him to resign.
Passionately fond of his country and of its past glories, he spent all his leisure in collecting documents and books pertaining to Canadian history. His fine collection (1700) of rare books and original manuscripts perished at the burning of the Parliament House in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
(1849). He courageously began a second collection, which he bequeathed to 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...
.
Faribault published no original works, merely reproducing and annotating a series of rare historical papers in the transactions of the Quebec Literary and Historical Society, of which he was one of the chief promoters and benefactors. His principal publication is the Catalogue of Works relating to the history of America, with bibliographical, critical, and literary notes (Quebec, 1837), which, although superseded by a few later catalogues, ranks among the best. In 1859, he realized the long-postponed plan, conceived in 1761 by Montcalm's
Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon, Marquis de Saint-Veran was a French soldier best known as the commander of the forces in North America during the Seven Years' War .Montcalm was born near Nîmes in France to a noble family, and entered military service...
companions in arms, of erecting a memorial tablet over the soldier's grave. The epitaph written by the French Academy at the time the subject was first brought up and approved by William Pitt
William Pitt
William Pitt is most likely to refer to:* William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham , Prime Minister of Great Britain 1766–1768; often known as William Pitt the Elder...
, was duly inscribed. In private life, Faribault was the type of the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
gentleman, modest, hospitable, and charitable. He counted none but friend, and left the record of a blameless career, devoted to the service of God and country. He died in 1866.
His daughter, Mathilde-Georgiana Faribault, married the Quebec portrait artist Théophile Hamel
Théophile Hamel
Théophile-Abraham Hamel was a Canadian artist who painted mainly portraits and religious images in 19th-century Quebec.- Life :...
, (1817–1870).