Charles-Joseph Coursol
Encyclopedia
Charles-Joseph Coursol QC (3 October 1819 – 4 August 1888) was a Canadian lawyer and politician, the Mayor of Montreal, Quebec between 1871 and 1873, and a member of Canadian Parliament from 1878 until his death.
Michel-Joseph-Charles Coursol was born at Fort Malden
, Upper Canada
, located at what is now Amherstburg, Ontario
. His early education was at the Petit Séminaire de Montréal, then apprenticed with Côme-Séraphin Cherrier
for the legal profession until his formal installation as a lawyer on 24 February 1841.
During his legal career in Montreal, he was a city councillor in Saint-Antoine ward between 1853 and 1855. Coursol left politics for numerous years, yet maintained a high profile in the Montreal community with other activities such as business and culture. He returned to local politics and was acclaimed Mayor in both 1871 and 1872. During that time, Coursol established urban park
s for public use.
After he left the Mayor's office, Coursol served as President of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society
from 1872 to 1876. His attention turned to national politics, winning the Montreal East
riding for the Conservatives
in the 1878 federal election
. He served second and third terms in the riding, running uncontested in the 1882
and 1887 federal elections
. However, Coursol died in office at Montmagny, Quebec
on 4 August 1888.
Coursol's honours included Spain's Order of Charles III in 1872, then his appointment as Queen's Counsel
in February 1873.
Michel-Joseph-Charles Coursol was born at Fort Malden
Fort Malden
Fort Malden is a fort that stands on the remains of Fort Amherstburg in Amherstburg, Ontario. The original fort was abandoned by the British/Canadians in 1813 when Southwest Ontario fell into American hands. The Americans began building a smaller replacement fort on the same site, but this was...
, Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
, located at what is now Amherstburg, Ontario
Amherstburg, Ontario
Amherstburg is a Canadian town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario. It is approximately south of the U.S...
. His early education was at the Petit Séminaire de Montréal, then apprenticed with Côme-Séraphin Cherrier
Côme-Séraphin Cherrier
Côme-Séraphin Cherrier was a lawyer and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Repentigny in 1798, the son of a farmer and merchant. After his mother died in 1801, he was raised by the family of his uncle Denis Viger. Another uncle was Joseph Papineau...
for the legal profession until his formal installation as a lawyer on 24 February 1841.
During his legal career in Montreal, he was a city councillor in Saint-Antoine ward between 1853 and 1855. Coursol left politics for numerous years, yet maintained a high profile in the Montreal community with other activities such as business and culture. He returned to local politics and was acclaimed Mayor in both 1871 and 1872. During that time, Coursol established urban park
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
s for public use.
After he left the Mayor's office, Coursol served as President of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society is an institution in Quebec dedicated to the protection of Quebec francophone interests and to the promotion of Quebec Sovereignism. Its current President is Mario Beaulieu....
from 1872 to 1876. His attention turned to national politics, winning the Montreal East
Montreal East (electoral district)
Montreal East was a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1892.It was created by the British North America Act of 1867. It consisted of the St. Lewis Ward, St. James Ward and the St. Mary's Ward. It was abolished in 1892...
riding for the Conservatives
Conservative Party of Canada (historical)
The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the...
in the 1878 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1878
The Canadian federal election of 1878 was held on September 17 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 4th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in the end of Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie's Liberal government after only one term in office. Canada suffered an economic depression...
. He served second and third terms in the riding, running uncontested in the 1882
Canadian federal election, 1882
The Canadian federal election of 1882 was held on June 20, 1882 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 5th Parliament of Canada.Prime Minister Sir John A...
and 1887 federal elections
Canadian federal election, 1887
The Canadian federal election of 1887 was held on February 22, 1887 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 6th Parliament of Canada.The Conservative Party of Prime Minister Sir John A...
. However, Coursol died in office at Montmagny, Quebec
Montmagny, Quebec
-External links:*...
on 4 August 1888.
Coursol's honours included Spain's Order of Charles III in 1872, then his appointment as Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in February 1873.