Robert Christie (January 20, 1787 – October 13, 1856) was a lawyer, journalist, historian and political figure in Lower Canada and Canada East (now Quebec). Born in Scotia, he moved to Lower Canada as a young man. Elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, he generally supported the Parti bureaucrates, or government group. He opposed the union of Lower Canada with Upper Canada, but was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. As a member, he remained opposed to the union and was an independent, not supporting any particular party. He had a reputation for being hot-headed, but also incorruptible. Family and early life Christie was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1787, the second son of Scottish immigrants, James Christie and Janet McIntosh. James Christie was a shoemaker who had acquired land and various positions in the Windsor area. Robert attended the King's College in Windsor, graduating some time before 1803. His father's plan was that Robert would take up business in Halifax, but in 1805 Robert went to Quebec City and was articled to Edward Bowen, a lawyer and political figure in Lower Canada. Christie became an advocate and attorney in 1810. In 1812, he married Monique-Olivier Doucet at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City. Journalism and public service Christie served in the War of 1812, reaching the rank of captain in the 4th Militia Battalion of Quebec City. In 1816, he established the Quebec Telegraph and became its editor. The Telegraph was a weekly newspaper, with a focus on business and politics, including reports of proceedings in the provincial Legislative Assembly. Christie published it in English and French, to attract both English and French readers. The articles on political affairs became the foundation for his later books on the politics of Lower Canada. However, the paper folded in July 1817. At the same time as he was publishing and editing the Telegraph, Christie also held the position of law clerk to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, charged with drafting bills and providing legal advice to the members of the Assembly. In 1819, he was appointed the clerk of a government commission set up to investigate land claims in the Gaspé region. The Gaspé area had been settled in advance of the organization of local government, and questions arose about prior land claims. His appointment began a long personal