Vallée, Louis Prudent, 1837-1905 (photographer)
Dates
- Existence: 1837 - 1905
Biography
Louis-Prudent Vallée (baptized Louis-François-Charles-Prudent) was born in Saint-Roch parish, Quebec, Canada, on November 6th 1837. His father was in the building industry. Vallée spent time learning photography in New York and in the studio of Jules-Isaïe Benoît, dit Livernois. In 1867, in partnership with François-Xavier Labelle, he opened his first studio at 10 Rue Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada. The following year he took over the business himself. The bulk of his business consisted of portraits and tourist scenes.
He married Elizabeth McAvoy in 1870 and they had six children. As well as his running his photographic business, Vallée was deeply involved in the social and economic life of Quebec.
Vallée occupied several buildings in Rue Saint-John. In the 1880s he appears to have purchased the stock of George William Ellisson. The last years of the nineteenth century proved difficult, Vallée faced much competition. His wife opened up a millinery shop in an attempt to ease the financial pressures. However, in 1901 Vallée was forced to sell his property. He died in December 1905 (Cook 1994, pp.1047-1048).
Publications:
Vallée, L.-P. (1878), 'Catalogue of photographic views of Quebec and vicinities: most respectfully presented to the tourist visiting Quebec'. [Québec?: s.n., L. Brousseau].
Sources:
Cook, Ramsay ed. (1994), 'Dictionary of Canadian Biography'. Volume XIII - '1901-1910'. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Point Levi, Quebec, 1870
229 x 177 mm A view looking across the St Lawrence with Queen’s Wharf in the foreground, sailing ships in the river and Point Levi on the farther shore. Photograph by Louis-Prudent Vallée (copy in the Canadian National Archives dated April 25 1870.)
Town and Citadel of Quebec, 1870
230 x 176 mm A view looking across the St Lawrence towards the town and Citadel of Quebec, with shipping at anchor in the river. A photograph taken from the Grand Trunk Railway Depot, Point Levis, probably in 1870. In the foreground railway lines run down to wharves beside the terminal.