He began his career in 1959 at the University of Sudbury, where he founded the department of philosophy, and then taught at Laurentian University. After his Ph. D. L'individu et sa propriété (1964), written in Strasbourg and Paris under the supervision of Henri Lefebvre, he joined the University of Ottawa, where he taught for 36 years. He was a builder of the department of political science and of the field of Political Thought. It is to him that we owe the central role that this field plays in our programmes, a role almost unique in North America, at a time when political thought had a very limited part in political science programmes elsewhere, particularly in French-speaking universities. Throughout his career André Vachet linked innovative thinking with deep historical knowledge. He combined the requirements of rigor and clarity, which made him an unparalleled teacher, adored by his students and admired by his colleagues. His introductory course in political thought, to which he was particularly devoted, marked several generations of students. He piqued their curiosity for a difficult discipline and sharpened their critical skills. At the initiative of the students of the Faculty of Social Sciences, he obtained the Award for Excellence in Teaching given by the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa in 1983. In 1984, he also received the award of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations. André Vachet established a scholarship for francophone students in political thought (1997).
Our university community deeply mourns the loss of a respected professor who held a prominent place at the University of Ottawa, and an eminent researcher of international renown in political thought, political ideologies (socialism, liberalism, Marxism) and the history of thought in the West. His master work L'idéologie libérale (1970) has become a classic text for the analysis of political ideologies. A generous spirit, he always offered friendly support and encouragement to colleagues, giving them ample recognition for their own contributions. André Vachet was a model colleague in his discipline: he was an active member of the Canadian Political Science Association, the Canadian Social Science Federation and the International Political Science Association. He was elected in 1994 to the Royal Society of Canada.
Members of the School of Political Studies and the Faculty of Social Sciences express their deep condolences to the family and loved ones of André Vachet.
As an expression of sympathy, you can make a donation to the André Vachet Scholarship (SS174o) from the University of Ottawa or give a call to 1-888-352-7222.