N. A. (Napoléon-Antoine) Belcourt

Born in Toronto in 1860 and raised in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, he studied law at Université Laval, was called to the Quebec bar in 1882, and soon after built his career in Ottawa. Alongside his legal work, he taught law and became an important figure in the city's French Canadian community.

He served as a Liberal member of Parliament for Ottawa, later became Speaker of the House of Commons, and was also appointed to the Senate. Beyond party politics, he is especially remembered for speaking out in defense of minority language and education rights, particularly for Franco-Ontarians.

Belcourt also wrote and spoke publicly on questions affecting French Canadians in Ontario, reflecting the same commitments that marked his public career. He died in 1932, leaving a legacy tied to Canadian parliamentary life and the struggle to protect French language rights.