Canada’s Entrepreneurs: From the Fur Trade to the 1929 Stock Market Crash (review)

In Canada’s Entrepreneurs J. Andrew Ross and Andrew D. Smith present a cross-section of entries from the Dictionary of Canadian Biography that deal with entrepreneurs. The two editors faced significant challenges, as a simple search of the keyword ‘business’ in the Dictionary’s database reveals more than 2000 entries. The resulting book demonstrates not only the variety and influence of entrepreneurial activity in Canadian history, but also the diverse nature of the individuals who helped shape the country. Any such collection relies upon the quality of subjects selected by the editors and the effectiveness with which the editors frame the presentation, especially when the raw material is as strong as the various biographies from the DCB. In Canada’s Entrepreneurs the selections are eclectic and informative, and the introduction sets the stage well.

In their introduction Ross and Smith begin with a brief examination of the term entrepreneur and its place in the history of Canada. Building on this general definition, they argue that several key themes emerge. The themes include the importance of the international context in examining entrepreneurialism in a country as devoted to trade as Canada. The overwhelming influence of government, both the colonial ones and eventually those of Canada is emphasized, as is the significance of geographical location. Finally, the necessity of adaptation to change, and the cost of ignoring it, is made clear. These are important lessons and the editors establish them well.

The collection, like the DCB, is organized chronologically. This volume, however, also includes sections based on regional and sectoral themes. The introduction provides a summary of these divisions within the book, but only a limited explanation of them. Brief introductions to frame both the chronological and thematic sections of the book would have helped establish their context more firmly.

The initial section ‘Doing Business in the New World’ includes biographies of figures as diverse as John Guy, an early administrator in Newfoundland, Françis Havy of New France and Muquinna, a Nootka chief who encountered both the British and the Spanish in the British Columbia of the 18th century. In this period the international context and the role of colonial governments played vital parts in all aspects of economic activity, and the biographies effectively reflect this from several perspectives.

‘The Commercial Empire of the St. Lawrence after 1763’ examines many familiar names of the post-Conquest period. Biographies of Robert Hamilton, John Molson, and James McGill help illustrate the shift away from the fur trade toward the merchant-based society that the new British colony was becoming. Despite the dominance of familiar British names the editors include interesting exceptions to this trend including Louise de Ramezay, the daughter of a Governor of Montrél. De Ramezay experienced enormous success before the conquest building on natural ability, her social position, and connections to the government. Like many others her fortune suffered in the aftermath of British arrival and the cost of the transition is apparent in her biography.

‘Maritime Enterprise’ and ‘The West Booms’ step outside the chronological path and focus on regional development. The Maritime section includes a lengthy biography of Sir Samuel Cunard which places his wide and varied career in both local and international context. The Western biographies feature resource barons such as Robert Dunsmuir but also find room for intriguing choices such as Chang Toy, one of the leading businessmen of the Chinese community of British Columbia and Françis-Xavier Letendre, dit Batoche, a successful Méis businessman. Once again the diversity of entrepreneurial experience is emphasized.

The central chapters of the book focus on the industrial heartland of the country and the railway network that grew around it. ‘Railway Men and Network Creators,’ includes not only Sir Hugh Allen and Sir William Cornelius Van Horne but also, intriguingly, Sir Adam Beck. Beck’s inclusion emphasizes the...