Papineau, Louis Joseph (1786-1871)

Canadian politician. He led a mission to England to protest against the planned union of Lower Canada (Québec) and Upper Canada (Ontario), and demanded economic reform and an elected provincial legislature. In 1835 he gained the cooperation of William Lyon Mackenzie in Upper Canada, and in 1837 organized an unsuccessful rebellion of the French against British rule in Lower Canada. He fled the country, but returned in 1847 to sit in the United Canadian legislature until 1854.

Papineau was born in Montréal. He served as an officer in the War of 1812. In 1809 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, and was Speaker of the House of Assembly 1815-37. In 1820 he still praised the advantages enjoyed by French Canadians under British rule, but after 1822 he became convinced that the French in Canada were threatened with the loss of their rights.