The People of Confederation
John A. Macdonald by Access History Web Company
Canada's first prime minister, also known as the "Old Tomorrow", is considered by some to be the First Father of Confederation.
The History Project, through the Access History Web Company, provides a database of Canadian Prime Ministers. The John A. Macdonald page provides a detailed biography and links to pages on his speeches, his involvement in the Canadian Railway, the National Policy and the Northwest Rebellion
Portrait image: http://www.macdonald-laurier.ca/docs/Db-Dominion/static-images/Macdonald-portrait.jpg
The History Project, through the Access History Web Company, provides a database of Canadian Prime Ministers. The John A. Macdonald page provides a detailed biography and links to pages on his speeches, his involvement in the Canadian Railway, the National Policy and the Northwest Rebellion
Portrait image: http://www.macdonald-laurier.ca/docs/Db-Dominion/static-images/Macdonald-portrait.jpg
George-Etienne Cartier by Alastair Sweeny
George-Etienne Cartier was a veteran of the 1837 Rebellions in Lower Canada and survived the rout at Saint-Denis in order to become Macdonald's closest political associate and a Father of Confederation in his own right.
The Canadian Encyclopedia, an online off-shoot of the Historica Foundation, provides detailed biographies on many historical Canadian figures. Cartier's entry includes a list of suggested further reading and additional links on Cartier's life and politics.
Portrait image: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/media/cartier-george-tienne-1347.jpg
The Canadian Encyclopedia, an online off-shoot of the Historica Foundation, provides detailed biographies on many historical Canadian figures. Cartier's entry includes a list of suggested further reading and additional links on Cartier's life and politics.
Portrait image: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/media/cartier-george-tienne-1347.jpg
George Brown by Claude Belanger
George Brown was a vital - some say THE vital - element of the Great Coalition. If he had not capitulated on some of his earlier demands for Confederation, Macdonald and Cartier would never have won the Anglos of Canada West over to the cause.
The Quebec History Encyclopedia provides a list of biographies of George Brown as well as numerous documents written by Brown, historical studies of Brown, and links to further websites on Brown.
Portrait image: http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/images/clip_image001_100.jpg
The Quebec History Encyclopedia provides a list of biographies of George Brown as well as numerous documents written by Brown, historical studies of Brown, and links to further websites on Brown.
Portrait image: http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/images/clip_image001_100.jpg
Charles Tupper by Library and Archives Canada
Charles Tupper was a bigger-than-life character in every aspect of his personality. Nova Scotia's inclusion in the 1867 Confederation was undoubtably his doing alone, an act which cost him his premiership soon afterwards although he did go on to become Prime Minister in 1896.
The Library and Archives Canada provides profiles of all the Prime Ministers of Canada. This page on Tupper has links to quick facts, his biography, his speeches, as well as anecdote of his personality and reputation in politics
Portrait image: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/h4/f1/241-v1.jpg
The Library and Archives Canada provides profiles of all the Prime Ministers of Canada. This page on Tupper has links to quick facts, his biography, his speeches, as well as anecdote of his personality and reputation in politics
Portrait image: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/h4/f1/241-v1.jpg
Samuel Leonard Tilley by Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
Although he is noted to have represented New Brunswick at the Confederation conferences, little is written about Sir Samuel Tilley. He is most often juxtaposed with Charles Tupper in regards to how they respectively brought their colonies into Confederation: Tupper through strong-arm tactics, Tilley through legislation.
in the online version of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, contributor C.M. Wallace provides a detailed account of the life and accomplishments of Tilley. An annotated bibliography and links to various primary resources are included.
Portrait image: http://www.uppercanadahistory.ca/pp/pp9p4f.jpg
Thomas D'Arcy McGee by Bruce Ricketts
A poet, a politician, an activist, and an instigator. McGee demonstrated in his relatively short time in Canadian politics a fervent and patriotic love of his adopted country which didn't sit well with his Irish countrymen.
The Mysteries of Canada webpage, run privately by Bruce Ricketts, gives an overview of McGee's personal and political life, culminating in his murder at the hands of an Irish Fenian fanatic.
Portrait image: http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/70/36070-004-62927B3E.jpg
The Mysteries of Canada webpage, run privately by Bruce Ricketts, gives an overview of McGee's personal and political life, culminating in his murder at the hands of an Irish Fenian fanatic.
Portrait image: http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/70/36070-004-62927B3E.jpg