Robert L. Couturier (1940-2011) was a long-time civic leader in the Lewiston Franco-American community. An attorney by trade, he served as Mayor of Lewiston, Lewiston Police Commissioner, Judge of Probate for Androscoggin County, and was elected to the Maine State Senate. During his time as mayor he was the youngest mayor in the country, at age 25. He wrote columns for local newspapers Le Messager and L'Unité Franco-Américain, and was a regular presenter on WCOU, the French-language radio station.
He was named "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" by the French government in 2000, and was honored throughout his life by numerous Franco-American organizations. He was responsible for designing the flag officially adopted as the emblem of New England and New York Franco-Americans.
The Robert Couturier Collection was donated by Mrs. Monique Couturier and Robert Langlais. Robert Langlais recorded much of the original audio. The Franco-American Collection is grateful to Northeast Historic Film for its assistance in digitizing the films.
