Religious leader. He was a Canadian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, who was the sixteenth bishop and fourth archbishop of Québec. A native of Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce (Québec), he entered the Seminary of Quebec in 1828, and graduated after brilliant studies in 1836. While pursuing further studies in Rome, he was on the point of joining the Benedictines. He reconsidered his decision, however, and returned to Quebec, and was ordained on September 10, 1842, and thenceforth devoted himself to the work of the seminary. He was successively occupied as disciplinarian and professor, and as member of the seminary council was one of the founders of Laval University in 1852. In 1854 he again studied in Rome, residing at the French Seminary, where he took the degree of Doctor of Canon Law in 1856. He was superior, 1860-66. In 1862 and 1864 he returned to Rome in defense of the rights of Laval, and again in 1869, as theologian of Archbishop Baillargeon during the Vatican Council. In the same year he was re-elected superior of the seminary and Rector of Laval University. Appointed Vicargeneral of the diocese of Quebec in 1862, he became administrator of the diocese at Bishop Baillargeon's death in October, 1870. He was made Archbishop of Quebec on March 19, 1871. On June 7, 1886, he was the first Canadian to be raised to the cardinalate. He was particularly zealous in educational matters. His episcopal administration was very fruitful. He canonically erected forty parishes, founded thirty missions, established various devotions, procured the creation of an episcopal see at Chicoutimi. He consecrated the new basilica of Ste. Anne de Beaupré, and performed the solemn translation of the remains of Mgr. de Laval, the first bishop of Québec. He was much devoted to the Holy See, to which he paid episcopal visits in 1872, 1884, and 1888. His theological ability and literary gifts were of a high order. He was of a silent disposition, but his speech was always pointed and effective. He passed away in his episcopal city.