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Félix Poutré

1814 – 1885

French Canadian spy

Spy
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About Félix Poutré

Lived 1814 – 1885 (aged 70–71). Félix Poutré was a Canadian spy.

Félix Poutré (; 1814–1885) was a French Canadian patriot and spy, who became known both as a popular hero and an infamous traitor within Lower Canada following his involvement in the Lower Canada Rebellion.

After escaping from the Pied-du-Courant Prison by allegedly feigning madness, Poutré published a pamphlet giving an account of his experiences, under the title Échappé de la potence (later translated in English as Escaped from the gallows). The work earned him considerable fame, his story being embodied in Louis-Honoré Fréchette's historical play also entitled Félix Poutré (1892).

However, it was later revealed that Poutré served as a spy for the British government, which he kept informed on the Patriot insurgents' plans while they were in exile in the United States and, later on, during their incarceration at the Pied-du-Courant Prison. This came following the affirmation of Benjamin Sulte that he had been an "employee of the government" and the disclosure by Gustave Lanctot in 1913 of compromising documents, which unmasked him as a bogus patriote. His claims to having actively participated in patriot actions have been seriously questioned, and it is probable that he rather acted as an agent provocateur on behalf of the British authorities.

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Important facts

Born
1814, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Birth century
Died
1885, Montreal
Occupation
Spy
Nationality
Also known as
Felix Poutre

People in Félix Poutré's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Félix Poutré's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Félix Poutré?

French Canadian spy

When was Félix Poutré born?

Félix Poutré was born in 1814 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

When did Félix Poutré die?

Félix Poutré died in 1885 in Montreal.

What was Félix Poutré's occupation?

Félix Poutré was a spy.

What nationality was Félix Poutré?

Félix Poutré was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Félix Poutré

· Wikidata: Q5511629

· DBpedia: Félix Poutré

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Félix Poutré. https://biography.guide/felix-poutre/

MLA: "Félix Poutré." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/felix-poutre/.

Chicago: "Félix Poutré." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/felix-poutre/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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