Montcalm Street was named in honour of Lieutenant-General Montcalm. Lieutenant-General Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm was born in France in 1712 and began his active military career in 1732. He served during the War of the Polish Succession (1733 – 1738) and the War of the Austrian Succession (1740 – 1748) being wounded twice while campaigning in Italy.
In 1756 he was appointed Major-General and transferred to Quebec City as hostilities between the French and the English in North America increased. Upon his arrival, a difference developed between himself and his superior, the governor-general at the time, the Canadian-born Pierre de Rigaud de Vaundreuil – the latter favoured spoiling attacks with Canadian and native troops while Montcalm was convinced that the only way to fight the war was to use European methods. In 1758, Montcalm was promoted to Lieutenant-General and given command of all military forces in Canada with Vaudreuil instructed to defer to him all things.
In spring 1759, Major-General James Wolfe with a British fleet was able to sail up to Quebec City and put troops ashore on Île d’Orléans without hindrance. Many skirmishes and artillery bombardments followed over the summer but with winter approaching, Wolfe attempted one last attack on 13 September. The British were able to secure the cliffs leading to the Plains of Abraham and bring battle to the French resulting in the eventual French capitulation. Both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded during the battle.
