At the end of the 18th century, the Sulpicians played an important role in the education of young Montrealers. The Collège Saint-Raphaël, which they supervised, was the only French-language classical school for boys in the region. Youths did not only study Latin there : they also learned to become men. The Sulpicians had strong ideas about how a gentleman should behave. Discourses on sexuality were no exception to this rule, and one of the objectives of classical education was to instill restraint and continence in young people. At best, it was hoped that boys would remain chaste and become priests. What was to be done? For the Sulpicians, there was only one solution: settle the matter without making too much noise to preserve what really mattered, namely reputation and honour.
This conference is offered by Shawn McCutcheon (Ph.D. History, McGill), a member of the Montreal History Group (MHG). His recent work has focused on the construction of masculinity in Lower Canada’s classical colleges and grammar schools between 1790 and 1840. His current project examines the scandalous behaviour of young Montrealers who came into conflict with the law. More broadly, his research interests include the transatlantic history of education, gender, sexuality, social control and marginality between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Duration : 70 minutes
On reservation
Photo : Bartolomeo Pinelli, Vénus présentant Cupidon à Calypso, 1808. Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry, Élévation de l’hôtel de Vaudreuil, 1727.
