Canadian Historian.

Mr. Trudel originally wanted to become a novelist, but became instead a historian. While completing his Doctorate in Literature, his thesis, L'influence de Voltaire au Canada (1945), led him through historical references available at that time. However, he found those references too patriotic and biased to be considered scientific and useful for his research. After his first novel, Vézine (winner of the David Award) in 1946, Marcel Trudel decided to share his findings by publishing several volumes on the history of Canada, the first being Louis XVI, le congrès américain et le Canada, 1774-1789. It was the beginning of a very long continuation of uninterrupted work, bringing to light what really happened in New France. Trudel wanted to expurgate the history books of empiric visions, that came off as patriotic and pious. His work attracted critiques from his peers because the truth that he discovered did not always show the Quebec national heroes in a flattering light nor convey the long-held beliefs of Quebec history. Trudel taught at Carleton University and also was a professor and director of the History Department at the University of Ottawa, before being named "Outstanding Professor" when he retired at the age of 65. Trudel left behind a very important work highlighting the important and not well-known history of New France. He wrote over fifty publications and contributed to the writing of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

Proclaimed the "Dean of Canadian Historian", Marcel Trudel does not appear in the film [Les Mains noires, procès de l'esclave incendiaire (Black Hands), directed by Tetchena Bellange, 2010, Documentary-Fiction, Canada, 2010], but his monumental work has been the inspiration for this documentary, and also for the historians appearing in the film. We are all indebted for his body of work and the courage he demonstrated for the publication of one of his more important books, L'esclavage au Canada français, re-published under its new title Deux siècles d'esclavage au Québec (2004). We are happy that Mr. Trudel had the opportunity to see the film Black Hands - Trial of The Arsonist Slave before he passed away on January 11th, 2011, at the age of 93.

Source:
www.blackhandsfilm.com/bios.html