Background
He was born Étienne-Édouard Rodier in Montreal in 1804, the son of a Montreal merchant, and studied at the Petit Séminaire de Montréal.
He was born Étienne-Édouard Rodier in Montreal in 1804, the son of a Montreal merchant, and studied at the Petit Séminaire de Montréal.
He studied law with Hippolyte Saint-Georges Dupré and then Dominique-Benjamin Rollin. Rodier was called to the bar in 1827 and set up practice at Montreal.
Rodier moved to L"Assomption. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for that region in an 1832 by-election held after Barthélemy Joliette was appointed to the legislative council. Rodier was reelected in 1834.
Rodier voted in support of the Ninety-Two Resolutions.
He gave speeches in 1837 that encouraged armed revolt and was a leader in the Fils de la Liberté. After a riot in Montreal, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was wounded in a clash in December and was brought to Swanton, Vermont. He took part in the preparation of a declaration of independence for Lower Canada in February 1838.
In October 1838, he returned his family and law practice in L"Assomption.
He was branded by the remaining Patriotes as a traitor. He died at Montreal in 1840.
As a radical member of the parti patriote, he supported an elected legislative council, the creation of a French Canadian republic, the end of seigneurial tenure and ending trade with Great Britain.