Dictionary of Canadian Biography

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📕 A bilingual scholarly research & publishing project, with free online access to more than 9,000 biographies, with many more to come. Since 1966. 🔗 www.biographi.ca En francais: @dbc-dcb.bsky.social

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Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· 24d

Bio of the Day: Daniel Tracey (d. 1832), physician, newspaper proprietor, editor, and politician. A physician and journalist, Daniel Tracey opposed British colonial policy, first in Ireland and then in Lower Canada. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/trace...

A portrait of a man in a high-collared dark coat with rows of buttons.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· 25d

Bio of the Day: James Pawley Dawes (1843–1907), businessman, JP, and sportsman. The Daweses’ owned one of the major breweries in the Montreal area. His wealth provided him with time to pursue other activities, including sports, especially horse-racing and sailing. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/dawes...

A young man with long sideburns stands in front of rustic-looking props including a rail fence. He wears light-coloured pants and a light-coloured shirt or vest under a dark jacket, open in the front. In one hand he holds a hat, the other hand is in his pocket.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· 26d

Bio of the Day: William Alexander Foster (1840–88), barrister and essayist. William Alexander Foster remains a somewhat enigmatic figure in Canadian history. His name is most frequently associated with the Canada First movement. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/foste...

A young-looking man with full dark sideburns and a dark mustache, wearing a high-collared shirt, patterned suit and a dark necktie.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· 27d

This summer, we are highlighting already published biographies of women from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This week: Ohtowaˀkéhson (d. 1837), also known as Catharine Brant, head woman of the Mohawk Turtle clan. 📖 www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ohtow...

Two people, one seated, and one (Indigenous or in Indigenous clothing) standing, holding a tomahawk, are next to a lake or pond. On the far side of the water is a house on a hill, with many trees. On the near side of the lake is a log cabin with a rail fence.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· 28d

Bio of the Day: Auguste-Henri de Trémaudan (1874–1929), teacher, lawyer, journalist, and man of letters. His most important work was probably the Histoire de la nation métisse dans l’Ouest canadien. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/trema...

A black and white image of an older man with a high forehead and dark hair, a small dark mustache, wearing a dark suit and a high starched collar.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· 29d

Bio of the Day: Gabrielle Roy (Carbotte) (1909–83), novelist. She is one of Canada’s and Quebec’s most highly respected, widely read, and studied authors, both in Canada and elsewhere. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/roy_g...

A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair wears a dark corduroy jacket with a white blouse with a wide collar.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 12

Bio of the Day: Joseph-Hyacinthe Bellerose (1820–99), merchant, militia officer, politician, and JP. Both in politics and in his outlook on society, Bellerose showed himself to be a conservative with ultramontane leanings. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/belle...

A man in a suit and bow tie, with dark hair and a dark curled mustached and small beard, sits holding an open book on his lap beside a desk with papers.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 11

Bio of the Day: Isidore Hurteau (1815–79), notary, company director, and mayor of Longueuil. In 1838 he obtained a commission as notary. He took up residence at Longueuil, where in 1839 he signed his first act. He was to practise there for nearly 40 years. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/hurte...

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Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 10

Bio of the Day: Annie Gregg Ryan (Savigny) (d. 1901), author. The paucity of accurate information on Annie reflects the obscurity of women’s lives in the historical record. Far more material survives about her husband, though she was the more notable person. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ryan_...

Crop from the title page for the novel "A Romance of Toronto (Founded on Fact.)" labeled "A Novel" by Mrs. Annie G. Savigny.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 9

Bio of the Day: Solomon Jacobs (1861–1920), rabbi. For a decade after his arrival in Toronto, Jacobs was the only rabbi completely fluent in English, and he came to be regarded as spokesman for the entire community, not just his own members. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/jacob...

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Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 8

Bio of the Day: Alexander Ewen (1832–1907), fisherman, salmon-canner, businessman, and alderman. Alexander Ewen is the most prominent figure among 19th-century salmon-canners in British Columbia. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ewen_...

A dark-haired and dark-bearded man wears a dark suit, white shirt, and dark bow tie.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 8

This summer, we are highlighting already published biographies of women from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This week: 📖 Marie-Louise Marmette (Brodeur): www.biographi.ca/en/bio/marme...

A woman with short dark wavy hair, wearing a dark fur-collared coat, a pendant necklace and hoop earring.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 7

It is July! Have you read all of our new bios published in June? 📖 Robert Weir: www.biographi.ca/en/bio/weir_... 📖 Pierre-Basile Mignault: www.biographi.ca/en/bio/migna... 📖 Freddie Fowke: www.biographi.ca/en/bio/fowke... 📖 Florence Lawrence (“the Biograph Girl”): www.biographi.ca/en/bio/bridg...

Four black-and-white portraits, clockwise from the top left: Robert Weir, Pierre-Basile Mignault, 📖 Frederick Luther (Freddie) Fowke, Florence Anne Bridgwood, known as Florence Lawrence and “the Biograph Girl”.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 7

Bio of the Day: Olivier-Maximin Melanson (1854–1926), businessman and politician. Unable to continue his schooling for lack of money, he undertook a career in business. At the time of his death, Placide Gaudet would refer to him as the first Acadian millionaire. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/melan...

A man with a thick curled mustache and dark hair and sideburns, wearing a dark suit and patterned tie.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 6

Bio of the Day: Jane Lavinia Musgrave (McNaughton) (1830–1916), social reformer. Like her mother before her, she passed on her keen interest in temperance and women’s rights to her daughters, who were encouraged to join women’s organizations. biographi.ca/en/bio/musgr...

An older woman with a long face, light-coloured hair pulled back, wearing a high‑collared lace blouse.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 5

Bio of the Day: Frederick O. Loft (known in Mohawk as Onondeyoh, “beautiful mountain”) (1861–1934), lumberman, journalist, civil servant, author, activist, army officer, and Mohawk pine tree chief. Fred Loft was energetically involved in his adopted community. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/loft_...

A man in a military uniform including a flat-topped hat with a crest on the front.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 4

Bio of the Day: Amor De Cosmos (named at birth William Alexander Smith) (1825–97), businessman, photographer, journalist, and politician. Although he would play important roles in the era after confederation, he made his largest contribution during the colonial period. biographi.ca/en/bio/de_co...

A man with dark hair and a large bushy black beard wears a dark suit jacket.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 3

Bio of the Day: Joseph-François Lafitau (1681–1746), priest, Jesuit, missionary, discoverer of ginseng in North America, author of Mœurs des sauvages amériquains . . . www.biographi.ca/en/bio/lafit...

Drawing of a man in dark clothes with a high collar. The man has a high forehead and hair that curls at his ears.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 2

Bio of the Day: Louis-Adolphe Casault (1832–76), soldier, deputy adjutant-general of the Canadian militia. He studied law for three years, but the legal profession did not appeal to his restless spirit. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/casau...

A man with light-coloured eyes and a high forehead, thick sideburns, and a bushy moustache wears a dark suit jacket and white collared shirt.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 1

Bio of the Day: Erastus William Wilson (1860–1922), businessman and officer. He made a success of his business and military careers. He even managed to attend to each of them during the war. This was no small task, and he accomplished it at the cost of his health. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/wilso...

Newspaper clipping of a man in military uniform including an elaborately decorated hat.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jul 1

This summer, we are highlighting already published biographies of women from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This week: 📖 Shawnadithit: www.biographi.ca/en/bio/shawn... 📖 Marie-Rose Piwapiskus (Opikokew): www.biographi.ca/en/bio/piwap...

A portrait of an Indigenous woman wearing a red robe trimmed with fur.

A photo of an older Indigenous woman wearing a black cap and a dark jacket.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 30

It is National Indigenous History Month! Today we highlight Kallihirua (modern spelling Qalasirssuaq, also known as Caloosà and Erasmus York (d. 1856), Inuit guide. Read more: www.biographi.ca/en/bio/kalli... 📷 Library and Archives Canada #NIHM2026

An Indigenous man with short dark hair, wearing a dark suit, vest, and tie, with a white shirt.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 29

Bio of the Day: William Dunlop (known as Tiger Dunlop) (1792–1848), army officer, surgeon, Canada Company official, author, JP, militia officer, politician, and office holder. Dunlop is remembered above all for his engaging, witty, eccentric personality. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/dunlo...

Drawing of a man with a high forehead and large sideburns, sitting in a chair. A portrait of a tiger head is hung on the wall above him.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 29

It is National Indigenous History Month! Today we highlight Keish (Skookum Jim) (d. 1916), a Tagish man. In 1896 he was part of a group who discovered gold on Rabbit (Bonanza) Creek, leading to the most spectacular gold-rush in North America. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/keish... #NIHM2026

An Indigenous man in a Western-style suit and brimmed hat holds a shovel.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 28

Bio of the Day: James Franklin McLeay (1864–1900), teacher and actor. In 1898, he joined Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s famous classical company at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Then, suddenly, at the age of 36, McLeay’s short, meteoric career ended. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/mclea...

Four photos of a man in various costumes playing various theatrical parts.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 27

It is National Indigenous History Month! Today we highlight Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) (d. 1807), Mohawk interpreter, translator, war chief, and statesman; Indian Department officer; member of the wolf clan. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/thaye... #NIHM2026

An Indigenous man with his hair in a braid wears an elaborate feather headdress. His flowered jacket is covered on one shoulder by a blue fur-lined cape or wrap.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 26

Bio of the Day: John Montresor (Montrésor) (1736–99), military engineer. He accompanied Jeffery Amherst’s expedition against Louisbourg and was assigned to Wolfe’s expedition against Quebec. During the siege he became quite friendly with Wolfe. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/montr...

A white man in a red military uniform with black accents, lace shirt cuffs, and brass buttons. He wears a dark hat with a gold embellishment.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 25

Bio of the Day: Janet Kennedy Smith (1902–24), servant, diarist, and alleged murder victim. Popular narratives of her death speak volumes about the concepts of race, class, gender, and law and order dominant in the British Columbia of the 1920s. biographi.ca/en/bio/smith... 📷 BC Archives

A young white woman with dark hair and glasses wears a white blouse with a wide collar.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 25

It is National Indigenous History Month! Today we highlight Henry Bird Steinhauer (d. 1884), an Ojibwa Methodist missionary, school teacher, and translator. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/stein... #NIHM2026 📷UCalgaryLibrary / @Glenbow

An older Indigenous man with short graying hair wears a suit with a vest and tie. He is sitting in a chair and is holding a book in one hand.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography@dcb-dbc· Jun 24

It is National Indigenous History Month! Today we highlight John Shiwak (1889–1917), an Inuit hunter, trapper, and soldier from Labrador. One officer would call him the best sniper in the British army. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/shiwa... #NIHM2026