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Diplomat Frederick Temple Blackwood, better known as Lord Dufferin, was governor-general of Canada from 1872 to 1878. He spearheaded a vast project to preserve and embellish Québec City’s historic heritage. With the help of Irish architect William H. Lynn, Lord Dufferin carried out extensive work on the ramparts of Québec City, in addition to building the Dufferin Terrace.
1840 - 1889

A partly English-speaking city

Today, the vast majority of Québec City’s population speaks French as their first language. It is hard to imagine that a great part of the city was once English! However, it was the case in the mid-19th century. A large wave of immigration from the British Isles came through Québec City, the point of entry to Canada. The Anglophone presence peaked in Québec City around 1870, when nearly half of the residents, mainly from Ireland, were English-speaking. Come and rediscover Québec City’s English-speaking past!

Fortifications of Québec

George Bishop Engraving and Printing Co., Montréal Diplomat Frederick Temple Blackwood, better known as Lord Dufferin, was governor-general of Canada from 1872 to 1878. He spearheaded a vast project to preserve and embellish Québec City’s historic heritage. With the help of Irish architect William H. Lynn, Lord Dufferin carried out extensive work on the ramparts of Québec City, in addition to building the Dufferin Terrace.
Chronoscope What projects can you identify in this period engraving? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Image from The City of Quebec Jubilee Illustrated- Date: 1887