ROY, (JOSEPH) CAMILLE

born Oct. 22, 1870, Berthier-en-Bas, Que., Can. died June 24, 1943, Quebec critic and literary historian, noted as an authority on the development of French-Canadian literature. Ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1894, Roy received his Ph.D. from Catholic University in Paris (1900). He taught French literature at Laval University in Quebec (190026) and then became a professor of Canadian literature. His many significant studies are based on the premise that the purpose of Canadian literature is to preserve the Christian heritage of 18th-century France while remaining untouched by contemporary French influence. These works include Nos Origines littraires (1909; Our Literary Origins) and the standard text Manuel d'histoire de la littrature canadienne-franaise (1918; 10th ed., 1945; Handbook of the History of French-Canadian Literature). He also helped found the Socit du Parler Franais (Society for Speaking French).