The Prince of Poets

If there is one the Nicolas Choquet's descendant that had an exceptionnal career, it's Robert Choquette. First known as a novelist, poet and playwright, and then as a diplomat, Robert Choquette received many important distinctions, in his public and artistic life.

He is certainly the most mentionned Choquette in the Who's Whos, and Encyclopedias, in French as in English. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, April 22 1905. He was the son of Dr. Joseph Albert Choquette (born in Marieville, Quebec) and Arianne Payette. In 1914, his family moved to Montréal, Quebec, where he underwent his classical studies (1917-1921).

A brillant literary career

At 20, he published his first collection of poems, A travers les vents, and won the David prize in 1926. His first novel, La pension Leblanc, was released in 1927. In 1931, the poet started to write regularly for radio and television. His most famous work includes, Le curé de village (1935-1938), La pension Velder (1938-1942) and Métropole (1943-1956).

In 1961, The French-Canadian Poets Society named him "Prince of Poets".

Around 1936, Leo Cox wrote about him Canadian Forum:

 

"To French Canadians Robert Choquette is the full crystallization of their Latin force working out their destiny in an Anglo-Saxon new world. His work over the air has accomplished more than anything else to raise the consciousness of the French Canadian race and language".

Literary Prizes:

• David Prize (1926, 1932, 1956) (Awarded by the Quebec Government)
• Special Prize by French Academy (1954)
• Prix Duvernay (1954)
• Prix Edgar Poe, Paris (1956)
• Prix international des amitiés françaises (1962)

See the description of the Fonds Robert Choquette at the National Library of Quebec.

Other related link :

Biography, bibliography and press file, by L'ÎLE, le Centre de documentation virtuel sur la littérature québécoise.

A fine diplomat.

In 1963, Robert Choquette was appointed at the Centennial Commission, and from 1964 to 1968, Canadian Consul-General to Bordeaux, France. From 1968 to 1971, he was Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Honors and distinctions:

• Companion of the Order of Canada (1968) - beautiful picture taken by Harry Palmer
• Grand Officer of The National Order of Quebec
• Founding member and past president of L'Académie canadienne-française

On April 1st 1937, Robert Choquette married Marguerite Canac-Marquis in Montreal. They had two children, Michel and Danielle. Robert Choquette passed away in Montreal, in 1991.

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