Pamphile Lemay

Born in Lotbinière, Lower Canada, on January 5, 1837, Pamphile Le May was a Quebec writer, poet, storyteller, translator, librarian, and lawyer. Reliable biographical sources agree that he used more than one spelling of his surname over time, including Lemay and Le May.

He became one of the notable literary figures of his era, publishing poetry, stories, and novels while also working in public service. He is especially remembered for his role in Quebec literary life and for translating major English-Canadian works into French, which helped bring them to new readers.

Le May died on June 11, 1918, at Deschaillons. Today he is remembered as an important early man of letters in Quebec, with a career that connected literature, translation, and cultural institutions.