Born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Sylvain studied in his native city before attending school in Paris and receiving a law degree. After returning to Haiti, he founded a law school and two periodicals, La Patrie and, in 1922, l'Union Patriotique.
Sylvain was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, studied in his native city before attending school in Paris and obtaining a legal education. After returning to Haiti, he established a law school and two periodicals: La Patrie and, in 1922, l'Union Patriotique.