Joseph Marmette

Joseph-Étienne-Eugène Marmette (October 25, 1844 – May 7, 1895) was a Canadian novelist and historian.

Life

Born in Montmagny, Canada East, Marmette was educated at the Séminaire de Québec and Regiopolis College. He started studying law at the Université Laval but did not complete his studies. Instead he became a clerk in the office of the Treasury of the provincial government.

In the 1870s, Marmette was part of a literary group known varyingly as "la société d'admiration mutuelle," "le cénacle de la rue d'Aiguillon," and "la pléiade de Saint-Maurice." The group, which included Faucher de Saint-Maurice and Oscar Dunn, gathered regularly in the home of Prosper Bender in Quebec City, and the salon's conversations helped inspire and mold these literary figures' works.

In 1882, Marmette moved to Europe when he was appointed a special agent for immigration for Switzerland and France. While in Europe, he was appointed Canadian archivist in France. He was succeeded by Édouard Richard.

He was one of the founders of the "Cercle des Dix", a group where literature, history, science, and geography were discussed. Other members were Benjamin Sulte, Alfred Duclos, and Alphonse Lusignan.

His daughter Marie-Louise Marmette was an author and lecturer.

He died in Ottawa, Ontario in 1895.

Thematic and aesthetic

Joseph Marmette wrote mainly historical novels, covering the period of New France and immediately after the War of the Conquest. His works provides a detailed historical framework and are inspired by the romantic school and the characters are shared between good and evil.