Introduction
Élie‑Oscar Bertrand (22 June 1885 – 14 March 1965) was a Quebecois historian, educator, and political activist whose work influenced the development of Quebec’s national identity in the first half of the twentieth century. Born in Montreal, Bertrand pursued a career that spanned academia, public service, and literary production. He is best remembered for his multi‑volume study of the early colonial period of New France and for his advocacy of French‑language education policies during a time of rapid industrialization and cultural change.
Early life and family
Bertrand was born into a modest family in the Plateau‑Mont-Royal neighbourhood of Montreal. His parents, Auguste Bertrand, a carpenter, and Marie‑Catherine (née Dubois), a homemaker, emphasized the value of education and civic engagement. The family was deeply rooted in the Catholic community, which played a significant role in shaping Bertrand’s early worldview. He was the third of five children; two of his brothers would later become civil engineers, while his sister, Clémence, pursued a career in nursing.
During his childhood, Bertrand attended the local parish school where he developed an early fascination with history, particularly the stories of Quebec’s early settlers and the French‑Canadian struggle for cultural preservation. The local community’s strong sense of identity and the influence of the church’s teachings fostered a sense of responsibility in Bertrand toward preserving Quebec’s heritage.
Education and early influences
Primary and secondary education
Bertrand received his primary education at École Saint‑Péters, a French‑language Catholic elementary school. He demonstrated an aptitude for languages and the humanities, and his teachers encouraged him to pursue higher education. After completing his studies at École secondaire de Montréal, he secured a scholarship to attend the Collège de Montréal, a respected institution for pre‑university studies.
University studies
In 1903, Bertrand enrolled at the Université de Montréal, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History and a minor in Classics. He graduated summa cum laude in 1907, earning recognition for his research paper on the economic conditions of New France in the 17th century. His academic mentors included the renowned historian Henri-Charles Lambert, who encouraged Bertrand to continue his exploration of Quebec’s colonial past.
Doctoral work
Bertrand undertook doctoral studies at the Université de Montréal from 1908 to 1912. His dissertation, titled “Les premiers échanges économiques entre la Nouvelle‑France et les colonies britanniques,” examined the commercial networks that linked French and British colonies in North America. The thesis was published as a monograph in 1913 and was praised for its rigorous archival research and balanced interpretation of colonial trade relations.
Influences and intellectual context
During his university years, Bertrand was influenced by the intellectual currents of French Catholicism, which emphasized the protection of French language and culture in a predominantly English‑speaking North America. He was also exposed to the emerging nationalist movements in Europe, particularly the efforts of French intellectuals to preserve national identity amid the pressures of globalization. These influences would later manifest in his political activism and public writings.
Academic career
Teaching positions
After completing his doctorate, Bertrand accepted a position as an assistant professor of History at the Université de Montréal in 1914. He held this position until 1928, when he was promoted to full professor. During his tenure, he was responsible for teaching courses on colonial history, economic history, and the French language. Bertrand’s lectures were known for their engaging narrative style, which brought historical events to life for his students.
In addition to his university responsibilities, Bertrand also taught evening classes at the Collège de Montréal, where he mentored young teachers who would go on to influence Quebec’s public education system.
Research focus
Bertrand’s research primarily centered on the early colonial period of New France, with particular emphasis on the economic and social dynamics that shaped the region. He also explored the role of the Catholic Church in maintaining French‑Canadian identity, the interactions between settlers and Indigenous peoples, and the political developments that led to the establishment of French‑language institutions in Quebec.
His scholarly work was characterized by extensive archival research, including the study of primary documents housed in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, and the National Archives of the United Kingdom. He was known for his meticulous citation practices and his efforts to make archival materials accessible to a broader audience through translations and annotated compilations.
Publications
Bertrand’s bibliography includes more than thirty books and numerous journal articles. His most significant work is the multi‑volume series “Les Lumières de la Nouvelle‑France” (1930‑1945), which provides a comprehensive account of the political, economic, and cultural history of the region from 1608 to 1763. The series was well received by scholars and became a standard reference for students of Quebec history.
Other notable publications include “Le commerce transatlantique des colonies françaises” (1920), “La langue française dans l’éducation québécoise” (1935), and “Les relations franco‑britanniques à l’ère de la colonisation” (1942). His essays often appeared in the journal Revue d’histoire canadienne, where he contributed to debates on national identity and cultural preservation.
Political involvement
Political party affiliation
Bertrand became politically active in the early 1920s, aligning himself with the Parti National des Canadiens‑Français, a party that advocated for the protection of French‑Canadian rights and the promotion of French language education. The party’s platform emphasized the importance of cultural autonomy and the need for policies that would safeguard Quebec’s distinct identity within the Canadian federation.
Legislative work
In 1925, Bertrand was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec as a representative for the Montreal‑Centre electoral district. He served a single term, during which he championed legislation that expanded access to French‑language schooling and established scholarship programs for students from low‑income families. Bertrand’s advocacy was particularly focused on the inclusion of French history and literature in the provincial curriculum.
Policy initiatives
Bertrand’s legislative agenda included the following key initiatives:
- Education Reform Act of 1926: This act mandated the provision of French‑language instruction in all public schools across Quebec, ensuring that non‑French speakers could receive education in their mother tongue.
- Historical Preservation Fund: Bertrand advocated for the establishment of a government‑sponsored fund dedicated to the restoration of colonial-era sites and the publication of historical documents.
- Language Rights Bill: He supported legislation that granted French‑speakers equal rights in municipal administration and public services, setting a precedent for future language policies.
Although Bertrand’s legislative tenure was brief, his influence persisted through the policies he helped to enact and through the mentorship he provided to younger politicians who continued his work.
Later years and legacy
Retirement and continued work
After leaving political office, Bertrand returned to academia, focusing on research and writing. He continued to publish extensively, producing several influential works on Quebec’s legal history and the evolution of its municipal institutions. In 1947, he became the director of the Archives of Quebec, a position that allowed him to oversee the preservation of historical records and to promote public access to archival materials.
Bertrand also engaged in public speaking, delivering lectures across Canada and the United States on the importance of preserving cultural heritage. He served as an advisor to several provincial governments on matters related to language policy and historical preservation.
Recognition and honors
Bertrand received numerous accolades throughout his career:
- Ordre de la Pléiade (1940): Awarded for his contributions to the promotion of French language and culture in North America.
- Prix du Québec (History) (1952): Recognized for his scholarly work on New France.
- Honorary Doctorate, Université Laval (1955): Conferred in recognition of his lifelong dedication to education and research.
- He was also posthumously inducted into the Canadian Historical Association’s Hall of Fame in 1970.
Personal life
Family
Bertrand married Élise Tremblay in 1910, a teacher from Quebec City. The couple had two children: a son, Jean‑Luc Bertrand, who became a civil engineer, and a daughter, Paulette Bertrand, who pursued a career in social work. The family maintained a close relationship with the Catholic Church and were active participants in community events throughout Montreal.
Hobbies and interests
Outside his professional pursuits, Bertrand was an avid collector of historical artifacts and a passionate supporter of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoyed gardening, particularly cultivating roses, which he cultivated in his Montreal townhouse garden. Bertrand’s interest in horticulture extended to the establishment of a small botanical collection that he shared with students during summer research retreats.
Death
Élie‑Oscar Bertrand passed away on 14 March 1965 at the age of 79. He died at the Hôpital de la Providence in Montreal after a brief illness. His funeral was attended by prominent scholars, politicians, and members of the community. He was interred in the Cimetière Saint‑Jean-Baptiste in Montreal, a resting place for many notable French‑Canadian figures.
Works
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. Les Lumières de la Nouvelle‑France. Vol. 1: 1608‑1648. Montréal: Presses Universitaires de Montréal, 1930.
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. Les Lumières de la Nouvelle‑France. Vol. 2: 1648‑1700. Montréal: Presses Universitaires de Montréal, 1935.
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. Les Lumières de la Nouvelle‑France. Vol. 3: 1700‑1763. Montréal: Presses Universitaires de Montréal, 1945.
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. Le commerce transatlantique des colonies françaises. Montréal: Éditions de l’Érable, 1920.
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. La langue française dans l’éducation québécoise. Montréal: Éditions de l’Érable, 1935.
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. Les relations franco‑britanniques à l’ère de la colonisation. Montréal: Éditions de l’Érable, 1942.
- Bertrand, Élie‑Oscar. Le droit municipal en Nouvelle‑France. Montréal: Presses Universitaires de Montréal, 1950.
Further reading
- Brandon, Michael. Quebec’s Cultural Renaissance: 1900‑1950. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1985.
- Charron, François. Les Patriotes de la Nouvelle‑France. Montréal: Presses de l’Université de Montréal, 1979.
- O’Connor, Daniel. French‑Language Education in Canada: A Historical Perspective. Ottawa: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1995.
- Roussel, Luc. Histoire des archives du Québec. Québec City: Éditions de l’Érable, 2002.
- Véron, Geneviève. Figures oubliées du Québec. Montréal: Éditions du Ventre, 2010.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!