| Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau | |
| Order: | 1st Premier of Quebec |
| Term Start: | 15 July 1867 |
| Term End: | 25 February 1873 |
| Successor: | Gédéon Ouimet |
| Birth Date: | May 30, 1820 |
| Birth Place: | Charlesbourg, Lower Canada |
| Death Place: | Quebec City, Quebec |
| Party: | Conservative |
| Spouse: | Marie-Louise-Flore Masse |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Order2: | Canadian Senator |
| Term Start2: | 1873-02-20 |
| Term End2: | 1874-01-08 |
Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau (May 30, 1820 – April 4, 1890), born in Charlesbourg, near Quebec City, was the first premier of the Canadian province of Quebec following Canadian Confederation in 1867. He led a Conservative Party government. He was also the Minister of Education and Provincial Secretary. Also during this period, he was the federal Member of Parliament for the riding of Quebec County (1867–73)
In 1873, he resigned as premier following his appointment as Speaker of the Canadian Senate. He served in that capacity until 8 January 1874. In 1878, he became professor of Roman law at Université Laval. He died April 4 in Quebec City in 1890. He had seven children, one of which, Alexandre Chauveau, became a provincial politician in his own right.[1]
From:The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press.
Pierre Joseph Olivier Chauveau , 1820-90, French Canadian educator and politician, (1867-73), b. Quebec.He won the 1867 election and the 1871 election and resigned in 1873. He became superintendent of education (1855) in Lower Canada. During his tenure normal schools were established and separate schools were created for English-speaking and French-speaking students. With the achievement of confederation (1867), Chauveau became the first prime minister of the province of Quebec. He also held the portfolios of minister of education and provincial secretary. In 1873 he was appointed to the Canadian Senate, of which he was speaker (1873-74). In 1878 he became professor of Roman law at Laval Univ. Chauveau wrote the novel Charles Guérin (1852), several biographies, poetry, and essays, including L'Instruction publique du Canada (1876).