Lauzon, Pierre de
LAUZON, PIERRE DE
Jesuit missionary; b. Poitiers, France, Sept. 26, 1687;d. Quebec, Canada, Sept. 5, 1742. He joined the Society of Jesus in France, Nov. 24, 1703, and was ordained and sent to Canada about 1716. He studied the Huron and Iroquois languages at L'Ancienne Lorette near Quebec and was then assigned to the Sault St. Louis (Caughnawaga) mission near Montreal. He served the Iroquois until 1721, when he went to the College of Quebec as professor of hydrography for a year. In response to the entreaties of the Iroquois and to allay their resentment at the news of a garrison taking up winter quarters at Sault St. Louis, Lauzon was sent back to his former mission (1722), was named its superior (1723), and ably directed the post for nine years. In 1732, when he was appointed superior of the Jesuits in Canada, he automatically became rector of the College of Quebec, where he remained for seven years. On a visit to France to seek help (1733), he brought back Rev. Jean Pierre Aulneau, who was martyred at Lake of the Woods in 1739. Upon completion of his term of office, Lauzon rejoined his old mission at Caughnawaga in 1739, but ill health caused his recall to Quebec two years later. Although sometimes known as Jean, Lauzon signed his name Pierre in official documents.
[g. carriÉre]