Joseph-Édouard Cauchon, (; December 31, 1816 – February 23, 1885) was a prominent Quebec politician in the middle years of the nineteenth-century. Although he held a variety of portfolios at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, he never achieved his goal of becoming the Premier of Quebec.
Early life and education
Born in Quebec City to a well-established family of seigneurs, Joseph-Édouard's parents were Joseh Cauchon, a joiner, and Marguerite Vallée.
Cauchon received a classical education at the Petit Séminaire of Quebec from 1830 to 1839, and subsequently studied law.