Michel Bégon (1667-1747)

Michel Bégon de la Picardière (21 March 1667 – 18 January 1747) was from a French family with a history of service to the King of France in fiscal and judicial matters. His father, Michel V Bégon, was first cousin to the wife of Jean-Baptiste Colbert and this moved the family into the occupations of maritime and colonial administrators.

Bégon was appointed to serve as the intendant of New France in 1710. However, he, his new wife Jeanne-Élisabeth de Beauharnois de La Boische, and his brother Claude-Michel sailed for the colony in 1712. He replaced the co-intendants, Antoine-Denis Raudot and Jacques Raudot and held the position from 1712–1726 (being replaced by Claude-Thomas Dupuy). The last three years of his service as intendant were ineffective as one successor died at sea before Dupoy arrived. Upon the arrival of his replacement, Bégon left almost immediately for France where he continued his career.

An examination of his career in New France shows a man who had been trained for this type of career move. There are indications that he carried out questionable dealings in wheat and other agricultural products during his early years. He used his position and the card money system to enrich himself.

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