Louis-Hector de Callière

Louis-Hector de Callière
Governor of Montreal
In office
1684–1699
Preceded by Thomas Tarieu de LaNouguère
Succeeded by François Provost
Governor of New France
In office
1698–1703
Monarch Louis XIV
Preceded by Louis de Buade de Frontenac
Succeeded by Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
Personal details
Born 12 November 1648
Torigni-sur-Vire, Manche
Died 26 May 1703 (aged 54)
Quebec City
Relations François de Callières
Parents Madeleine Potier de Courcy
Jacques de Callières
Religion Roman Catholic

Louis-Hector de Callière or Callières (12 November 1648 26 May 1703) was a French politician, who was the governor of Montreal (1684–1699), and the governor of New France from 1698 to 1703.[1] He played an important role in defining the strategy that New France followed during the Queen Anne's War.

De Callière was born in Thorigny-sur-Vire, Lower Normandy. He received his background experience for the position of governor of New France as the governor of Montreal from 1684 to 1699. During his era there, the Iroquois war had enhanced the importance of that position. He conducted himself so well during this period that he was awarded the prestigious cross of Saint-Louis in 1694 partly under the recommendation of Buade de Frontenac.

Family

He was the son of Jacques de Callières, governor of Cherbourg and the author of La Fortune des gens de qualité et des gentilshommes particuliers, enseignant l'art de vivre à la cour suivant les maximes de la politique et de la morale ("The Fortune of people of quality and private gentlemen, teaching the art of living at court according to the maxims of politics and morality").

François de Callières, the eldest son, was elected to the French Academy in 1689 and also served with distinction in Louis XIV’s diplomatic corps. In 1701, thanks to his ability to imitate the royal handwriting and to his mastery of the French language, succeeded Toussaint Rose as the secretary "who held the pen." His duties, designed to save the monarch time and fatigue, consisted of writing in a hand and style similar to those of the king letters and memoirs to dignitaries and foreign heads of state and of signing them with the royal name. Such a position of trust gave Callières great power which he frequently used to further the career of Louis-Hector in Canada.

External links

References

  1. ALLAN GREER. "Louis-Hector de Callière". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Retrieved October 21, 2013.


Government offices
Preceded by
Louis de Buade de Frontenac
Governor General of New France
1698 1703
Succeeded by
Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil