Joseph Tassé

Writer and journalist, born at Montreal, 23 Oct., 1848; died 17 Jan., 1895; son of Joseph, and Adeline Daoust. He received a classical education at Bourget College, Rigaud, Province of Quebec, and began his literary career at nineteen, as chief editor of “Le Canada”, a tri-weekly, then daily, newspaper at Ottawa. In 1869 he became editor of “La Minerve”, Montreal, the foremost Conservative organ, resigning in 1872. In 1878 he was elected member of the House of Commons for the City of Ottawa, and re-elected in 1882. He was appointed to the Senate in 1891. Besides contributing over a hundred articles to “La Revue canadienne”, and presenting several valuable historical articles to the Royal Society of Canada, he wrote the following highly-appreciated works: “Philémon Wright ou colonization et commerce de bois” (1871); “Le chemin de fer canadien du Pacifique” (1873); “La Vallée de l’Outaouais” (1873); “Le 38 fauteuil” (1891). His most important work is: Les Canadiens de l’Ouest” (1878). Tassé lectured frequently and effectively in Canada and the United States. His style is characterized by clearness and warmth.