Benjamin Sulte

Benjamin Sulte, originally baptized Olivier-Benjamin Vadeboncœur, was born on September 17, 1841, in Trois-Rivières, Lower Canada, now known as Quebec. He was the son of Benjamin Sulte dit Vadeboncœur and Marie-Antoinette Lefebvre. Following the death of his father in 1847, Benjamin had to leave school at the tender age of ten, embarking on a diverse career that included roles as a clerk, bookkeeper, and shop owner along a Grand Trunk Railway line.

In 1861, he joined the militia, rising to the rank of sergeant-major. His career in journalism began in 1866 when he was appointed editor of Le Canada, a Conservative newspaper based in Ottawa. The following year, he took on the role of translator in the House of Commons of Canada, and by 1870, he was working for the Department of Militia and Defence, eventually becoming chief clerk in 1889. He retired from this position in 1903.

Benjamin Sulte's personal life saw him marry Augustine Parent, the daughter of Étienne Parent, in 1871. He was not only a dedicated civil servant but also a prolific writer, composing poems and songs, and contributing significantly to historical literature.

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a charter member of the Royal Society of Canada in 1882 and served as its president from 1904 to 1905. His academic achievements were further honored in 1916 when he received an honorary LL.D. from the University of Toronto. Benjamin Sulte passed away on August 6, 1923, leaving behind a legacy of literary and historical significance.