William J. Montaigne

Bill Montaigne (1915-1988) was a Pembroke, Ontario-based professional photographer, and was also involved in cinematography, sound recording and television journalism. Born in Montreal, Quebec Montaigne graduated in 1936 from St. James College in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a B.A. in journalism. After graduation he worked as a freelance journalist for a number of major American newspapers and magazines, and also wrote radio scripts. Montaigne served in World War Two as a member of a Canadian artillery unit, and while in Scotland, married Barbara Malcolm Hope, a native of Pembroke, Ontario. After the war ended, they settled in Pembroke, and Montaigne began work with radio station CHOV as a commercial representative, involved in advertising, news gathering, writing and producing. In 1948 Bill and Barbara Montaigne opened Montaigne's Flowers, Gifts and Photography Shop, where he focussed primarily on photographing local events. In the 1950s the photography part of the business expanded to include film productions, sound recordings, and television journalism, with Montaigne freelancing for CBC television. He also became more active in photojournalism, contributing work for magazines, journals, and local newspapers. In the 1970s Montaigne involved himself more in commercial photography, focussing upon weddings, portraits and graduations. In 1979 he published a book entitled "How to Begin and Operate a Successful Commercial Photography Business." Montaigne operated his photography business until his death in 1988.