Jean Talon

Timeline

1. 1626–1664France · FranceTalon was born in Châlons-en-Champagne and had served as intendant of Hainaut; his capable administrative skills won Colbert's favor. In 1663 the intended governor of Canada, Fortier, did not take up his post, so Louis XIV and Colbert appointed Talon intendant of New France in March 1665.
2. 1665–1668Quebec · QuebecTalon arrived in 1665 on the same ship as the military governor Courcelle; though junior in rank, he was the colony's actual administrator. In the winter of 1665–1666 he rode from house to house, directing North America's first systematic census, which counted 3,215 European-descended residents; because the omission rate was high, a supplementary census was carried out in 1667. During the same period he promoted the King's Daughters immigration scheme, birth incentives, and various industrial experiments.
3. 1668–1670New France · QuebecAfter completing his first term in 1668, Talon returned to France and reported colonial progress to Louis XIV. In 1770 he was reappointed intendant, continuing to advance population growth and economic diversification policies until he left office in 1672. During his tenure the colony's population grew significantly, laying the foundation for the later development of French Canada.