Georges-Casimir Dessaulles
Encyclopedia
Georges-Casimir Dessaulles (September 29, 1827–April 19, 1930), was a businessman, statesman and Canadian
senator. Dessaulles holds the record for the oldest serving politician. Appointed to the Canadian Senate
representing the Province of Quebec
in 1907 at age 80, Dessaulles served for 23 years before dying at age 102.
Dessaulles was born in Saint-Hyacinthe
, Lower Canada
in 1827, the son of Jean Dessaulles
and a nephew of Louis-Joseph Papineau
. Before becoming senator, Dessaulles was President of the Bank of Saint-Hyacinthe, and mayor of Saint-Hyacinthe
. He also represented Saint-Hyacinthe
in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
from 1897 to 1900. In 1857, he had married Émilie-Emma, the daughter of judge Dominique Mondelet
; in 1869, he married Louise-Frances Leman after the death of his first wife. His 100th birthday was marked as a historic moment in the senate, because Dessaulles had become only the second sitting senator to reach the age of 100 (the other being David Wark
). At his death in 1930, Dessaulles was the oldest sitting politician in the world. To date, no one has beaten this record.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
senator. Dessaulles holds the record for the oldest serving politician. Appointed to the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
representing the Province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in 1907 at age 80, Dessaulles served for 23 years before dying at age 102.
Dessaulles was born in Saint-Hyacinthe
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Saint-Hyacinthe is a city in southwestern Quebec east of Montreal on the Yamaska River. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 55,823. The city is located in Les Maskoutains Regional County Municipality of the Montérégie region, and is traversed by the Yamaska River which flows...
, Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
in 1827, the son of Jean Dessaulles
Jean Dessaulles
Jean Dessaulles was a seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Saint-François-du-Lac in 1766 and studied at the Collège Saint-Raphaël. He worked as a seigneurial agent for his aunt, who was managing the seigneury of Saint-Hyacinthe...
and a nephew of Louis-Joseph Papineau
Louis-Joseph Papineau
Louis-Joseph Papineau , born in Montreal, Quebec, was a politician, lawyer, and the landlord of the seigneurie de la Petite-Nation. He was the leader of the reformist Patriote movement before the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837–1838. His father was Joseph Papineau, also a famous politician in Quebec...
. Before becoming senator, Dessaulles was President of the Bank of Saint-Hyacinthe, and mayor of Saint-Hyacinthe
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Saint-Hyacinthe is a city in southwestern Quebec east of Montreal on the Yamaska River. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 55,823. The city is located in Les Maskoutains Regional County Municipality of the Montérégie region, and is traversed by the Yamaska River which flows...
. He also represented Saint-Hyacinthe
Saint-Hyacinthe (provincial electoral district)
Saint-Hyacinthe is a provincial electoral riding in the province of Quebec, Canada. Located in the Montérégie region, the riding includes the city of Saint-Hyacinthe as well as the municipalities of Saint-Damase, Saint-Dominique and Saint-Liboire...
in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
Legislative Assembly of Quebec
The Legislative Assembly of Quebec was the name of the lower house of Quebec's legislature until 1968, when it was renamed the National Assembly of Quebec. At the same time, the upper house of the legislature, the Legislative Council, was abolished...
from 1897 to 1900. In 1857, he had married Émilie-Emma, the daughter of judge Dominique Mondelet
Dominique Mondelet (seigneur)
Dominique Mondelet was a lawyer, judge, seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu, the son of notary Jean-Marie Mondelet, and studied at the Collège de Montréal. He articled in law with Michael O'Sullivan, was admitted to the bar in 1820 and set up...
; in 1869, he married Louise-Frances Leman after the death of his first wife. His 100th birthday was marked as a historic moment in the senate, because Dessaulles had become only the second sitting senator to reach the age of 100 (the other being David Wark
David Wark
David Wark, Irish-born, was a prominent Canadian Senator who served nearly 38 years in his elected office....
). At his death in 1930, Dessaulles was the oldest sitting politician in the world. To date, no one has beaten this record.