Honoré Mercier | |
---|---|
9th Premier of Quebec | |
In office January 27, 1887 – December 21, 1891 |
|
Monarch | Victoria |
Lieutenant Governor |
Louis-Rodrigue Masson Auguste-Réal Angers |
Preceded by | Louis-Olivier Taillon |
Succeeded by | Charles Boucher de Boucherville |
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Rouville |
|
In office October 12, 1872 – January 22, 1874 |
|
Preceded by | Guillaume Cheval dit St-Jacques |
Succeeded by | Guillaume Cheval dit St-Jacques |
MNA for Saint-Hyacinthe | |
In office June 3, 1879 – June 17, 1890 |
|
Preceded by | Pierre Bachand |
Succeeded by | Odilon Desmarais |
MNA for Bonaventure | |
In office June 17, 1890 – October 30, 1894 |
|
Preceded by | Henri-Josué Martin |
Succeeded by | François-Xavier Lemieux |
Personal details | |
Born |
Saint-Athanase, Lower Canada |
October 15, 1840
Died | October 30, 1894 Montreal, Quebec |
(aged 54)
Nationality | Canadian |
Political party |
Liberal Party / Parti National |
Spouse(s) | Léopoldine Boivin (death) Virginie Saint-Denis |
Alma mater | Jesuit College Sainte-Marie |
Occupation | Lawyer, newspaper editor |
Profession | politician |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Honoré Mercier (October 15, 1840 – October 30, 1894) was a lawyer, journalist and politician in Quebec, Canada. He was the ninth Premier of Quebec from January 27, 1887 to December 21, 1891, as leader of the Parti National or Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ). He rose to power by mobilizing the Francophone opposition to the execution of Louis Riel, denouncing it as a betrayal by John A. Macdonald's Conservative government.
Mercier was born in Saint-Athanase, Lower Canada, studied at the Jesuit College Sainte-Marie in Montreal, and was called to the Bar of Quebec in April 1865. As the age of 22, Mercier became the editor of Le Courrier de St-Hyacinthe newspaper. He opposed the Confederation project as early as 1864, believing that it would be detrimental to French Canadians.
In 1871, he was instrumental in creating the short-lived Parti National. Mercier successfully ran as a Liberal candidate in the 1872 election. He became Member of the House of Commons for the district of Rouville. He did not run for re-election in the 1874 election. In the 1878 election, Mercier was candidate in the district of St. Hyacinthe. He was defeated by the Louis Tellier, his Conservative opponent.