Who was the French commander at the Battle of Quebec?

The French commander at the Battle of Quebec was the Marquis de Montcalm. His full name was Louis-Joseph de Saint-Véran, Marquis de Montcalm, but “Marquis de Montcalm” is the standard historical name and a canonical quiz answer.

Montcalm served as commander of French forces in New France during the crucial campaigns of the French and Indian War. He directed the defense of Quebec during the British siege in 1759, opposing General James Wolfe and the British army.

On September 13, 1759, Montcalm led French regulars, Canadian militia, and Indigenous allies at the Plains of Abraham, also called the Battle of Quebec. The British won the battle, and both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded. Montcalm died the following day.

Montcalm is sometimes confused with Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial, the governor general of New France. Vaudreuil held the colony’s senior civil office, while Montcalm commanded the French army.