author
Madame (Joséphine) Dandurand
1862–1925
A sharp, pioneering voice in Quebec letters, she wrote fiction and drama while also helping open public space for women’s ideas. Her work brings together wit, social observation, and a strong sense of purpose.
1 Audiobook
Contes de Noël par Josette
by Madame (Joséphine) Dandurand
About the author
Born Joséphine Marchand, she is better known in literary history as Joséphine Marchand-Dandurand or Madame Dandurand. Reliable biographical sources describe her as a Quebec journalist, writer, lecturer, and feminist activist, born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in December 1861 and deceased in Montreal in March 1925.
She built a varied writing career that included stories, plays, and essays, and she published under the name Madame Dandurand after marrying Raoul Dandurand. Her work gained notice in the late 19th century, and sources credit her with important contributions to French-Canadian cultural life, including writing for periodicals and founding Le Coin du feu, a magazine created for women readers.
What makes her especially memorable is the way literature and public engagement came together in her life. She wrote with humor and social insight, while also taking part in the broader movement for women's education, expression, and civic presence in Quebec.