Joseph Papineau (October 16, 1752 – July 8, 1841) was a notary, seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.
Joseph Papineau was the father of Louis-Joseph Papineau who had the great distinction of being a fiery player in the history of the French dominated (except for Montreal) British colony called Lower Canada. His other son Denis-Benjamin also played a significant though lesser role in politics of Canada East, serving as joint premier in the Legislative Assembly.
Joseph Père was also a horticulturalist whose estate home is a tourist attraction to this day in the province of Québec, Canada. His own contributions to the culture and history of this particular province are recognized to this day with streets, squares and monuments being dedicated to his memory.
His son Louis-Joseph was even more influential in creating a strong Québec identity due to his political activities. The involvement of Louis-Joseph Papineau and Ezekiel Hart is responsible for Jews being granted full citizen rights in any territory or nation several decades before many other countries followed suit. This may be among his most important contribution to pre-Confederation Canadian history. (The first Jewish synagogues had opened in Montreal after the British Conquest of 1760.)