Pascal Poirier (February 15, 1852 – September 25, 1933) was a Canadian author, lawyer, and the all-time longest-serving

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

. Born in

Shediac Shediac (official in both languages; ''Shédiac'' is colloquial French) is a heavily Acadian town in Westmorland County, New Brunswick. The town is home to the famous Parlee Beach and is known as the "Lobster Capital of the World". It hosts a ...

New Brunswick New Brunswick (french: Nouveau-Brunswick, , locally ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is the only province with both English and ...

, in a big family, he attended College Saint Joseph in

Memramcook, New Brunswick Memramcook, sometimes also spelled Memramcouke or Memramkouke, is a village in Westmorland County, New Brunswick, Canada. Located in south-eastern New Brunswick, the community is predominantly people of Acadian descent who speak the Chiac deri ...

. At an early age he wrote a book on the Origin of

Acadian The Acadians (french: Acadiens , ) are an ethnic group descended from the French who settled in the New France colony of Acadia during the 17th and 18th centuries. Most Acadians live in the region of Acadia, as it is the region where the de ...

s, a history that contradicted myths of the time. He also wrote multiple articles and a glossary of the

Acadian French Acadian French (french: français acadien, acadjonne) is a variety of French spoken by Acadians, mostly in the region of Acadia (region), Acadia, Canada. Acadian French has 7 regional accents, including chiac and brayon. Phonology Since there w ...

language. After finishing school at the College Saint-Joseph in

Memramcook Memramcook, sometimes also spelled Memramcouke or Memramkouke, is a village in Westmorland County, New Brunswick, Canada. Located in south-eastern New Brunswick, the community is predominantly people of Acadian descent who speak the Chiac deri ...

during 1872, Poirier was appointed Postmaster of the Dominion Parliament at age 20. He held that position until he was appointed to the Senate thirteen years later. Poirier was the first Acadian appointed to the Senate of Canada. He was appointed in 1885 and served for 48 years, 6 months, and 17 days until his death in 1933. As the

Constitution of Canada The Constitution of Canada (french: Constitution du Canada) is the supreme law in Canada. It outlines Canada's system of government and the civil and human rights of those who are citizens of Canada and non-citizens in Canada. Its contents a ...

requires new senators to be at least 30 years old and (since 1965) to leave the Senate when they reach 75, Poirier's record can never be exceeded unless the constitution is amended again to allow it. The Pascal Poirier House (built c. 1820–30) was designated a Provincial Historic Site under the ''Historic Sites Protection Act''. The home he was born in has been preserved as a museum and as an important and rare example of early-19th-century Acadian residential construction.Pascal Poirier House, Shediac, New Brunswick
at www.heritagecanada.org The -storey gabled house, which features a hand-hewn structure, is believed to be the oldest building in Shediac. He was honored as a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

in 1902.

Selected bibliography

* ''Le Glossaire acadien'' * ''L'Origine des Acadiens'' (1874) * ''Les Acadiens de Philadelphie'' (1875) * ''Le Père Lefebvre et l'Acadie'' (1898) * ''Le Parler franco-acadien et ses origines'' (1928)

References

Le Glossaire acadien
by Pascal Poirier

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Poirier, Pascal 1852 births 1933 deaths St. Joseph's College alumni Canadian senators from New Brunswick Conservative Party of Canada (1867–1942) senators Acadian people Persons of National Historic Significance (Canada) People from Shediac