author
Sir J. M. (James MacPherson) Le Moine
1825–1912
A lively 19th-century Canadian writer, historian, and naturalist, he brought Quebec’s landscapes, customs, and stories to readers in both English and French. His work helped preserve the feel of old Quebec while also reflecting a deep curiosity about birds, local history, and everyday life.
1 Audiobook
Picturesque Quebec : a sequel to Quebec past and present
by Sir J. M. (James MacPherson) Le Moine
About the author
Born in Quebec City in January 1825, Sir James MacPherson Le Moine became known as a lawyer, civil servant, and prolific author with a lasting interest in Canadian history and nature. He studied at the Petit Séminaire de Québec, was called to the bar in 1850, and later worked in public service while continuing to write extensively.
Le Moine is especially remembered for books and essays on Quebec’s past, folklore, travel, and bird life. Comfortable in both English and French, he wrote for a wide readership and helped document the character of French Canada at a time of major change. He was also closely involved with the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, including periods as its president, and supported the growth of its natural history collections.
Over the course of a long career, he built a reputation as a careful observer of place, memory, and the natural world. He was knighted in 1897, and today he is remembered as one of the writers who helped preserve the cultural and historical texture of 19th-century Quebec.