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Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine

First premier under responsible government · 1807-1864

With Robert Baldwin, turned a union meant to swamp French Canada into the instrument of self-government.

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Life story

1. October 4, 1807 · Boucherville, Quebec
   Born at Boucherville
2. September 1842 · Kingston, Ontario
   Insisted on speaking French in the Assembly though the Union Act banned it
3. March 11, 1848 · Montreal
   Formed the first ministry under responsible government with Baldwin
4. April 25, 1849 · Montreal
   Passed the Rebellion Losses Bill; a mob burned the parliament and attacked his house
5. February 26, 1864 · Montreal
   Died in Montreal as chief justice of Canada East

In the timeline

• 1841 — The Act of Union
• 1848 — Responsible government
• 1849 — The burning of parliament

Sources

• Wikipedia article: Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine
• Dictionary of Canadian Biography
• The Canadian Encyclopedia