Benjamin Beaubien (1776-1834)
Basilique-Benjamin Trottier-Desrivières-Beaubien, of Montreal
He was born in Montreal and grew up between there and Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes where his father was a prominent fur trader. His family had been involved in the French-Canadian fur trade since the 17th century and he was a first cousin of the two stepsons (and principal heirs) of James McGill. Beaubien was educated in the United States. In 1792, James Peale drew his miniature in Philadelphia and in 1796 he graduated from Princeton University. He was admitted to the bar of Montreal in 1801 and five years later (1806) married the sister of another prominent French-Canadian lawyer, Clément-Charles Sabrevois de Bleury, who was popular in high society for, "his charm, elegant manners, and refined style of living". During the War of 1812, Beaubien took up arms as a Captain with the Montreal Infantry and was promoted to Major in 1814.
In Montreal, he built the impressive Maison Beaubien on the corner of Saint-Gabriel Street and Craig Street, overlooking the Champ de Mars. When Montreal was incorporated as a city in 1832, Beaubien was selected to be its first General Counsel. But, almost immediately after his appointment, "the city council launched an investigation into Beaubien's business practices and he resigned". At the same time, he began to take an interest in politics and gave a well-received speech at a public assembly in April 1834 that was printed up in Le Minerve. However, in July of that summer he was among the 4,000 victims of the Cholera epidemic that swept across Montreal. He was survived by one daughter who was married to Louis-Tancrède Bouthillier, Sheriff of Montreal.
In Montreal, he built the impressive Maison Beaubien on the corner of Saint-Gabriel Street and Craig Street, overlooking the Champ de Mars. When Montreal was incorporated as a city in 1832, Beaubien was selected to be its first General Counsel. But, almost immediately after his appointment, "the city council launched an investigation into Beaubien's business practices and he resigned". At the same time, he began to take an interest in politics and gave a well-received speech at a public assembly in April 1834 that was printed up in Le Minerve. However, in July of that summer he was among the 4,000 victims of the Cholera epidemic that swept across Montreal. He was survived by one daughter who was married to Louis-Tancrède Bouthillier, Sheriff of Montreal.
