Samuel Genest
Encyclopedia
Samuel McCallum Genest was born in Trois-Rivières
, Quebec
on June 10, 1865. 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. Samuel Genest was educated at the Séminaire des Trois-Rivières.
. He brought a case before the courts where he supported the right of Francophile Canadians to have their children educated in French. This brought him much admiration from French-Canadians. He was even supported by Anglo-Protestants, like William Henry Moore
, author of The Clash . The modest staff that the University of Ottawa had already made Doctor of Law was celebrated by the authorized representatives of all its people. 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. 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.
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
on June 10, 1865. 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. Samuel Genest was educated at the Séminaire des Trois-Rivières.
Court Case
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. When he was the Chairman of the Catholic schools of the city of Ottawa Samuel Genest was thrown into the battle over Regulation 17Regulation 17
Regulation 17 was a regulation of the Ontario Ministry of Education, issued in July 1912 by the Conservative government of premier Sir James P. Whitney. It restricted the use of French as a language of instruction to the first two years of schooling. It was amended in 1913, and it is that version...
. He brought a case before the courts where he supported the right of Francophile Canadians to have their children educated in French. This brought him much admiration from French-Canadians. He was even supported by Anglo-Protestants, like William Henry Moore
William Henry Moore
Willam Henry Moore was a lawyer, author and Member of the Canadian House of Commons.- Biography :...
, author of The Clash . The modest staff that the University of Ottawa had already made Doctor of Law was celebrated by the authorized representatives of all its people. 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. 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.