Sir Antoine-Aimé Dorion

Born at La Pérade, Dorion was professor of civil law, President of the provincial Bar, and successor to Papineau as leader of the Liberal Party. During his political career, he represented Montréal in the Legislative Assembly (1854-1861); Hochelaga, first in the Assembly and later in the House of Commons (1862-1872); and Napierville (1872-1874). In 1863 he was Attorney General and Lower Canadian leader in the J. S. Macdonald-Dorion ministry. Though opposed to Confederation, he entered Mackenzie’s cabinet as Minister of Justice in 1873. From 1874 until his death he was Chief Justice of Québec. He died in Montréal.

Dorion naquit à La Pérade (Bas-Canada). Juriste éminent, successeur de Papineau comme chef du parti libéral, député de Montréal pendant douze ans, procureur général du Bas-Canada en 1862, il fut partenaire de Sandfield Macdonald dans le gouvernement de 1863. D’abord opposé à la Confédération, il s’y rallia. Ministre de la Justice, dans le Cabinet Mackenzie, il fit adopter une nouvelle loi électorale et devint juge en chef de la Province de Québec en 1874. Dorion est mort à Montréal.