Frédéric Houde

Frédéric Houde was a prominent Canadian journalist, newspaper editor, and political figure born on September twenty-third, eighteen forty-seven, in Saint-Antoine-de-la-Rivière-du-Loup, Canada East. He was the son of Antoine Houde and Angèle Descoteaux and received his education at the Séminaire de Nicolet. His career in journalism began in eighteen sixty-eight when he became an associate editor for Le Constitutionnel in Trois-Rivières.

From eighteen sixty-nine to eighteen seventy-five, Houde contributed to various French language newspapers across New England. In eighteen seventy-one, he founded L’Avenir national in St Albans, marking a significant step in his journalistic journey. After marrying Catherine Dougherty in eighteen seventy-four, he returned to Quebec, where he took on the role of editor for Le Nouveau Monde, eventually becoming its owner in eighteen seventy-nine.

Houde's career was not without controversy; in eighteen eighty-two, he published a critical article about Archbishop Elzéar-Alexandre Taschereau, which led to a request for retraction from Bishop Édouard-Charles Fabre. Instead of complying, Houde chose to leave journalism altogether. His commitment to public service extended beyond journalism, as he served as a lieutenant-colonel for the Trois-Rivières militia.

In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Houde was also a novelist. His historical novel, 'Le Manoir mystérieux,' was published in book form in nineteen thirteen, showcasing his literary talents. Tragically, he passed away at the young age of thirty-seven due to tuberculosis while still in office, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with both journalism and politics.