Pierre de Sales Laterrière

Pierre de Sales Laterrière, born in 1743 near Albi, was a multifaceted individual who ventured from France to New France in 1766. Initially employed as a clerk by the renowned Alexandre Dumas in Quebec City, he transitioned to the medical field in 1769, practicing alongside a local doctor in Montmagny. Although he claimed to have studied medicine in Paris, it is likely that he began his medical career without formal training, a common occurrence of the time.

In 1771, Laterrière took on the role of agent for the Saint-Maurice ironworks in Quebec City, and by 1775, he was appointed inspector, later becoming the director after the previous director, Christophe Pélissier, fled to the United States amidst political turmoil. His personal life was equally eventful; he began a relationship with Pélissier's wife, Marie-Catherine Delezenne, living together in defiance of societal norms until their marriage in 1799, following her first husband's death.

Laterrière's life took a dramatic turn when he was imprisoned by British authorities during the American Invasion, leading to his exile in Newfoundland from 1782 to 1783 on dubious treason charges. Upon his return to Quebec, he settled in Baie-du-Febvre, where he resumed his medical practice. However, the introduction of a licensing law in 1788 necessitated formal credentials, which he lacked. This prompted him to study at Harvard University, where he became the first foreign graduate of its medical school in 1789.

After returning to Quebec, Laterrière established a successful medical practice and, through his earnings and investments, acquired the seigneury of Les Éboulements in 1810. He passed away in Quebec City in 1815, leaving behind a legacy that included his sons, Marc Pascal and Pierre-Jean, who also became prominent doctors in the province.