Hon. Napoleon Charbonneau, K. C

Hon. Napoleon Charbonneau, K. C., and a puisne judge of the superior court of the province of Quebec since 1903, was admitted to the bar in 1879 and in the intervening period has made continuous progress in his profession until he is today one of the leaders of the provincial bar. He was born at Cote des Neiges, Quebec, on the 12th of February, 1853, his parents being Augustin and Julienne (Dufort) Charbonneau. In the acquirement of his education he attended Montreal College and after thorough preparation for the bar was admitted to practice in 1879 and entered upon the active work of the profession in Montreal. At one time he was a partner of the late Senator Trudel and of the Hon. L. O. Taillon. He has successfully pleaded before the judicial committee of the privy council, and on the 11th of March, 1903, he was made a puisne judge, remaining continuously upon the bench to the present time. The Montreal Standard speaks of him as “a judge of uncommon perspicacity, thoroughly sound in his law and swift in his perception of relevant facts and issues; there are not two opinions as to his ability.”

Judge Charbonneau’s public activity aside from his service on the bench has been partially in connection with political affairs. He unsuccessfully contested Jacques Cartier for the house of commons in the liberal interest at the general election in 1887 and in 1895 was elected at the by-election. He was appointed a royal commissioner for the province to inquire into the charges against the Hon. A. Turgeon in 1907. His attention, however, has largely been confined to his professional duties, and he has gained eminence in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit. Endowed by nature with strong intellectual power, he has so directed his reading and his activities as to have won place among the eminent judges of the province.

The present wife of Judge Charbonneau was Mlle. Lemieux. His religious belief is that of the Roman Catholic church. He maintains his residence in Montreal at No. 36 Simpson Street. His summer outing affords him opportunity for cruising, and he and his family are enthusiastic over this form of recreation. His launch, the Mouette, is much enjoyed. His circle of friends is select rather than large, and he is often found in those gatherings where intelligent men are met in the discussion of vital and significant themes and problems.