CHAPAIS, SIR JOSEPH AMABLE THOMAS (1858 ), Canadian lawyer, statesman and historian, was born at St. Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie, Quebec, on March 23, 1858, son of Senator J. C. Chapais, one of the "Fathers of Confederation." Chapais was educated at St. Anne's college, Laval university, and was called to the Quebec bar in 1879. In March 1892 he was called to the legislative council of Quebec, was a minister without portfolio in the Taillon Government, and was elected leader of the Government in the executive council (Jan. 1893) ; speaker of the legislative council (April 1895) ; president of the executive coun cil (May 1896), and minister of colonization and mines (Jan. 1897). He retired from office in May, 1897. From 1884 to 1901 Chapais edited Le Courrier du Canada of Quebec. In 1907 he was appointed professor at Laval university, and has published several works on history and law, including Cours d'Histoire du Canada, 1760-1814 (4 vols., 1916-23) ; Jean Talon (19°4); and Le Marquis de Montcalm (1911). On Dec. 31, 1919, he was called to the senate of Canada.