Marguerite Michaud

1903-1982

Marguerite Michaud was the first Acadian woman to earn a university degree and the first woman to hold the position of vice-principal of the New Brunswick Teacher’s College in Fredericton. Born on 4 July 1903 in Bouctouche, Michaud earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University in 1923, a Diploma from the Faculty of Letters from the Sorbonne in 1947, an MA from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in history from the Université de Montréal. She became a teacher in New Brunswick’s public schools, including at the Collège Pédagogique de Fredericton and then vice-principal of the Teacher’s College (1960-1968). She was a professor at St. Thomas University from 1968 until her retirement in 1973. Recipient of honorary doctorates from the Université Saint-Joseph and St. Thomas University, she became Professor Emeritus at the Université de Moncton in 1973. The author of numerous didactic and historical works, including La reconstruction française au Nouveau-Brunswick: Bouctouche, paroisse-type (1955), Michaud also published a children’s storybook adaptation of Longfellow’s Evangéline in 1950. Michaud was the recipient of many honours, including the Order of Canada (1964), a Silver Medal from Queen Elizabeth II (1977), Le Prix de mérite de l’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick (1979) and membership in La Compagnie des Cent-Associés Francophones (1981). President of the Association des Instituteurs et Institutrices Acadiens, and a member of the 1973 Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism, she was also recognized outside the country as a UNESCO delegate in Holland (1952). The Dr. Marguerite Michaud Prize in Canadian Studies from St. Francis Xavier University was created in her honour. Michaud died in 1982 and was buried at Bouctouche, NB.

Predominant New Brunswick Residences:

Fredericton, Bouctouche

Archival Material

• Fonds Marguerite-Michaud
  ⌄
  Location

  Centre d'études acadiennes Anselme-Chiasson

  Website/Catalogue Record

  View Archival Record

  Retrieval Number

  39, G39, P39, BM39, C39, CP39, D39, CM39, OS39, S39

  Date Range of Material

  1870-1982

  Extent

  2.55 m

  Scope and Content Note

  The Marguerite-Michaud collection is subdivided as follows: personal files; records relating to  student life; records relating to writings and studies;  files relating to the associations of which Michaud was member ( includes several Francophone organizations at the local, provincial, federal and international levels); postcards from different European countries; photos of the Michaud family, acadian scenes  and groups.