File

This file documents the Honoris causa doctorate that Clarence A. Gagnon received from the Université de Montréal. It is composed of an invitation to the commencement ceremony of May 27, 1938, at the St. Denis Theatre, and five press clippings.

One of the articles, published May 27, 1938, in the Montreal Daily Star, recounts the ceremony during which six honourary degrees were awarded. The same day, Le Devoir published the text read by Msgr Olivier Maurault, the rector of Université de Montréal, as he presented the new doctors with their degrees. We learn that Clarence A. Gagnon was recognized along with painter Ozias Leduc of St. Hilaire; Rev. Sister Allard, chief nurse at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital; Dr. Louis Martin, director of the Institute Pasteur of France; Dr. Charles-Alexander Mitchell, assistant chief pathologist at the Animal Diseases Research Institute in Hull; and Dr. Joseph-Denonville Bachand, a dental surgeon born in Coaticook, living and practising in Vermont. The article presents a short biography of Clarence A. Gagnon, outlining some highlights of his career: studies with William Brymner at the Art Association of Montreal, then with painter Jean-Paul Laurens at the Académie Julian in Paris; bronze medal for work exhibited in St. Louis, Missouri, and Honourable Mention at the Paris Salon for his etchings; illustrations for luxury editions of the novels Le grand silence blanc and Maria Chapdelaine; presence of his works in many Canadian collections and European museums.

One press clipping lists the notable guests present at the ceremony, including Msgr Georges Gauthier, coadjutor archbishop of Montreal; Msgr Emmanuel Alphonse Deschamps, auxiliary bishop of Montreal; Édouard Montpetit, secretary general of Université de Montréal; Victor Doré, of the Montreal Catholic School Board; and Dr. J. Ernest Gendreau, director of the Radium Institute of Montreal.