Louis Hemon author of 'Maria Chapdelaine' contributed to Chapleau's literary fame and establishment of cultural centre

"Maria Chapdelaine", a novel by Louis Hemon, who died after being hit by a train near Chapleau on July 8. 1913, and was buried in the old Roman Catholic Cemetery, made it and writer famous and the Centre culturel Louis Hemon has contributed to his memory.

In fact the late George Evans noted in one of his articles in "Snapshots of Chapleau's Past" that Hemon and his novel were the community's "main claim to literary fame." Now before I go any further, when George was writing his articles that was likely very true, but in the past few years, others have emerged as contenders but they are a story for another day. Hemon did not live in Chapleau.

After reading the article in the Chapleau Express recently that the Centre had received a $138.000 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to undertake renovations to the centre, I decided to refresh my memory of Hemon and his famous novel.  The last time was sitting at the back of the late Alex Babin's classroom at Chapleau High School when he was teaching "Maria Chapdelaine."

Born In France in 1880, he spent nine years in England making a living writing short stories and articles for French periodicals. He had a daughter Lydia Kathline and after his wife died he sent his daughter to live in France with his sister.

He  arrived in Canada in 1911, writing the novel based on what he had observed while working on a farm in the Lac St-Jean region of Quebec. In the summer of 1913, the novel completed and sent to a publisher in France, he was travelling west to collect material for future stories.

George wrote that his "habit was to hop freight trains or walk along the railway right of way."

On July 8, 1913, he was hit by a train just west of Chapleau and died.

His novel was published after his death but at first had little impact. However, by 1921 the novel became a success after being reviewed by a French literary critic. It was also translated into English.

His daughter and sister visited Canada in 1938, after the novel was a highly acclaimed literary success. They stopped in Chapleau where a plaque was unveiled in his memory. More than one million copies have been sold and it is still available in print.

In due course Hemon received more recognition in Chapleau with a plaque, and of course the Centre culturel Louis Hemon.

Some readers may recall that the centre is located in the house where Chapleau pioneer Thomas J. Godfrey, the community's second reeve (1914-16), and the person who worked for many years to get Highway 129 completed lived.

The grant will enable it  to "renovate and enhance" the centre by repairing the roof, exterior walls, access ramp and also the interior space. 

I extend my sincere congratulations to the board and members of the Centre culturel Louis Hemon for undertaking this project to   improve the community and recognize a highly acclaimed author.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca