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A Tribute to Yvan Lamonde (1944–2025)
Born March 30, 1944, in Saint-Tite, Quebec, the son of a medical doctor, Yvan Lamonde died August 26, 2025 in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, with which he had a long time connection. At the Joliette Seminary, he received his college classique education and edited the student newspaper.
His academic interest in book and intellectual history soon became evident. His 1967 Master’s thesis at the Université de Montréal was “La notion de Lebenswelt chez John Wild : introduction à la pensée de John Wild et à la phénoménologie aux États-Unis, avec un essai bibliographique des écrits de John Wild.” His 1969 doctoral thesis at Université Laval (Quebec City) on “L'enseignement de la philosophie au Collège de Montréal (1790-1896)” was supervised by Claude Galarneau, a major figure in Quebec book and intellectual history. Academic influences came also from Georges Aubin, Jacques Ferron, Paul Ricoeur, and Charles Taylor – among others.
After graduation, Montreal's McGill University became Lamonde’s academic home. Beginning as a faculty lecturer (1972), he became an Assistant Professor (1978), Associate Professor (1980), Professor (1993), and Professor Emeritus of French Language and Literature (2009). During 1980/85 he served as Director of the University's French Canada Studies Program - subsequently renamed the Quebec Studies Program. In recognition of his distinguished contributions, the University awarded him the James McGill Chair in Comparative History of Quebec.
Lamonde’s publication record is impressive and challenging. By his own count, he authored, co-authored, and edited over sixty titles. His scholarly articles numbered over two hundred. No listing is readily available, however, for his extensive non-scholarly publishing in magazines and newspapers. Some future bibliographer will undoubtedly compile a definitive listing.
In terms of content, Lamonde’s publications can be organized under two headings: (i) book history and (ii) intellectual history. Regardless of their classification, his writings focused overwhelmingly upon Francophone Quebec. His study of other topics and parts of the world - Anglophone Quebec, other regions of Canada (Anglophone and Francophone), the United States, Britain, France, and Belgium – was always with the intention of increasing his understanding of Quebec’s Francophone culture and history.
As a book historian, Lamonde is best known as co-General Editor, with Professor Patricia Fleming (University of Toronto), of the landmark History of the Book in Canada/Histoire du livre et de l’imprimé au Canada (2004-2007) published in six volumes – three each in English and French – for which he also authored and co-authored numerous articles. The History owes much to Lamonde’s planning and direction – reflecting his knowledge, energy, and scholarly commitment.
As an intellectual historian, Lamonde produced a virtual flood of notable books and articles that were largely synthesized in his two volume Histoire sociale des idées au Québec, 1760-1929 (2000, 2004) and his two volume La Modernité au Québec, 1929-1965 (2011, 2016). An English-language translation of the first volume was published in 2011 as The Social History of Ideas in Quebec, 1760-1896. His ideas were developed further in his intellectual autobiography, Historien et citoyen, navigations au long cours (2008).
His studies placed Quebec in the middle of the Western world’s debates, tensions, and ambivalence surrounding (i) political nationalism based on liberal values and (ii) cultural nationalism focused on preserving language and culture. He concluded that Quebec’ history reflected a strong American influence – along with British, French and religious influences.
For those wishing to investigate further, Lamonde’s ideas, they are examined in two collections of essays: Jonathan Livernois, ed. Les affluents partagés: à propos de l’œuvre d’Yvan Lamonde (2013) and Claude Couture, ed. Autour de l’œuvre d’Yvan Lamonde: colonialisme et modernité au Canada depuis 1867 (2019).
Lamonde’s status as a major Canadian historian and one of Quebec’s most influential historians was reflected in the many honours he received. Among the more notable are: Governor General's Non-Fiction Literary Award (1995); Killam Fellowship (1996); Membre, l’Académie des lettres du Québec (1997); Tremaine Medal, Bibliographical Society of Canada (2001); Prix André-Laurendeau, Association francophone pour le savoir (2004); and Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (Academy of the Arts and Humanities) (2006).
Speaking personally, I worked closely with Yvan on several projects. We shared a strong commitment to studying libraries as essential elements of both book and intellectual history. Yvan’s charm and good humour were notable, along with his strongly held opinions, such as his terminological preference for “print history” over “book history.” His ability to work harmoniously and effectively with people was widely acknowledged.
Condolences are extended to Yvan’s widow, Micheline Duhaime, and to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Peter F. McNally, Prof. Emeritus
McGill University