Montreal's Most Popular Irishman : The Forgotten Life of J.J. Curran

A biography of John Joseph Curran (1842-1909), lawyer, community historian, university administrator, federal politician, Quebec Superior Court judge, and Irish Home Rule promoter. An active member in Montreal's St. Patrick's Society, he was elected as the founding vice-president of the Irish Home Rule League of Montreal in 1873, the first such association to be established in North America. He served in that role until 1878. In 1881, Harp magazine declared Curran "undoubtedly the most popular Irishman in the city of Montreal." In 1882, running for the federal Conservative Party under John A. Macdonald, Curran was elected to represent Montreal Centre in Parliament. The author outlines the conflict Curran had with Henry J. Cloran, the editor of the Montreal Post and its sister publication, The True Witness and Catholic Chronicle. Cloran accused Curran of treachery and cowardice for not being more aggressive in defending Irish Home Rule in Parliament. Cloran, running as the Liberal candidate, tried to unseat Curran in the 1886 election campaign, but failed. In 1892 Curran was appointed to Cabinet as Solicitor General, a position he held until 1895. That year he was appointed to the Bench of the Quebec Superior Court, a position he held until his death.

Quebec Heritage News

Vol. 15

no. 2

Spring 2021

25-28

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