Albert Tessier (March 6, 1895 – September 13, 1976) was a French-speaking Canadian priest, historian and a film maker. He was born in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Mauricie. Tessier made over seventy films. Tessier started taking photographs with his Kodak Brownie in 1913.

Life as a Priest and Educator

He was ordained priest by Monsignor François-Xavier Cloutier in June 1920 and received a PhD in Theology in Rome in 1922. He moved back to his native area in 1924 and began a career as a teacher and professor of history and literature. In 1937, he replaced Thomas Chapais and took over the Chair in History of Canada at the Université Laval.

Promoting Local Identity

Tessier was known to be very proud of his area of origin. He coined the word Mauricie in 1933 to designate his native area. Before then, the expression "Saint-Maurice Valley" had been used. Many of the movies that he produced informed the public about the area's background.

Filmography

From 1925 until his death, Tessier made more than seventy non-fiction films. His favorite subjects were nature, history, religion, education and culture.

Death

Albert Tessier died at the Saint-Joseph Hospital in Trois-Rivières on September 13, 1976.

Legacy

The following were named in Tessier's honor: