George-Barthélemy Faribault

Who was George-Barthélemy Faribault?

George-Barthélemy Faribault was a Canadian archaeologist, born in Quebec.

Faribault was a first cousin of Jean-Baptiste, father of Alexander, founder of the city of Faribault, Minnesota, U.S.A.. After attending a school taught by a Scottish veteran of Wolfe's army, he completed by personal efforts the course preparatory to the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1811.

In 1812, Faribault served as a militiaman during the invasion of Canada by the Americans. In 1822, he entered the civil service, attaining in 1832 the rank of assistant clerk of the Legislative Assembly, an office he continued to hold after the union of the Canadas until 1855, when ill-health forced him to resign.

Passionately fond of his country and of its past glories, he spent all his leisure in collecting documents and books pertaining to Canadian history. His fine collection of rare books and original manuscripts perished at the burning of the Parliament House in Montreal. He courageously began a second collection, which he bequeathed to Université Laval.