Hemon, Louis, << ay MAWN, lwee >> (1880-1913), was a French author best known for his novel Maria Chapdelaine. This book describes the hardships of habitants (French-Canadian farmers) in the harsh climate of the Lac Saint-Jean region of southern Quebec. It is a classic portrait of the spirit and traditions of the habitants.
Hemon was born on Oct. 12, 1880, in Brest. In 1902, he moved to London, where he wrote for a newspaper. Hemon immigrated to Canada in 1911 and worked on a farm near Roberval, Quebec, for several months. He based Maria Chapdelaine on his experiences on the farm. Hemon died in a train accident on July 8, 1913, shortly after completing the novel and mailing it to a French magazine. The magazine published the work in 1914. It appeared in book form in 1916.
