Samuel Genest

Background

He was the son of Laurent-Ubald Genest, a lawyer who was for many years Clerk of the Peace to Trois-Rivières, and Marie-Charlotte-Emma McCallum, who was born in Montreal.

Education

Samuel Genest was educated at the Séminaire des Trois-Rivièresearch

Career

When he was the Chairman of the Catholic schools of the city of Ottawa Samuel Genest was thrown into the battle over Regulation 17. This brought him much admiration from French-Canadians. The modest staff that the University of Ottawa had already made Doctor of Law was celebrated by the authorized representatives of all its people.

The day before, children in French schools in Ottawa came to greet and cheer the man who, in large part, they should be able to learn in their own language.

He was employed by the Federal Administrative Service from 1885 to 1931, and subsequently served as the chair of ACFO in 1932 and 1933. From 1885 to 1895, he lived in Aylmer, near Ottawa.

He lived in Ottawa during and after 1895.

Achievements

• Priests and laity, archbishops, ministers, senators, members (senators and deputies from all parties), came in a great public banquet this winter, to proclaim that the old soldier had won the Church, country and race.

Views

He played an important role to one of the biggest struggles that has been conducted in Canada to defend the rights of fathers and the rights of the French language.