Papineau was born in 1819 in Montreal, he was the son of Denis-Benjamin Papineau, who was the joint-premier of the Province of Canada for Eastern Canada from 1846 to 1848. Papineau was schooled at Saint-Hyacinthe, and received his qualification as a notary in 1841, following which he entered into practice in Montreal.
Papineau was born in 1819 in Montreal, the son of Denis-Benjamin Papineau who held the joint-premier position for Eastern Canada from 1846 to 1848. He received his notary qualification at Saint-Hyacinthe and began practicing law in Montreal after completing his education.