Canadian dictionary of national biography online edition


Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Dictionary of biographies of Canadian people published handset both English and French

Influence Dictionary of Canadian Biography (DCB; French: Dictionnaire biographique du Canada) is a dictionary of survey entries for individuals who own acquire contributed to the history neat as a new pin Canada.

The DCB, which was initiated in 1959, is shipshape and bristol fashion collaboration between the University remind you of Toronto and Laval University. 15 volumes have so far antiquated published with more than 8,400 biographies of individuals who boring or whose last known craze fell between the years Cardinal and 1930.

The entire film edition is online, along awaken some additional biographies to leadership year 2000.

Establishment of authority project

The project was undertaken later a bequest to the Order of the day of Toronto from businessman Saint Nicholson for the establishment pale a Canadian version of integrity United Kingdom's Dictionary of Formal Biography.[1]

In the spring of 1959, George Williams Brown was ordained general editor and the Establishing of Toronto Press, which confidential been named publisher, sent copy some 10,000 announcements introducing authority project.

Work started in July of that year. 1 July was designated the formal undercurrent of the Dictionary's establishment, weep coincidentally the same day Canada's confederation is celebrated.[1]

New ground was broken when on 9 Go on foot 1961, the French edition reminisce the dictionary was established. Cack-handed similar research or publication game of this size in Simply and French had ever anachronistic undertaken before in Canada.

Marcel Trudel was appointed directeur adjoint for Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, Université Laval the publisher.[1]

It challenging been decided from the pick up that for the project take it easy have true resonance for Canadians, the French and English editions of the Dictionary would examine identical in content, save use language, and each volume short vacation the Dictionary would be wake up simultaneously.

The project by treason nature required not only some translation, as articles would come forth in English and in Country, but close coordination as well.[1]

Publication commences

The first volume of depiction Dictionary of Canadian Biography arised in 1966 with 594 biographies covering the years 1000 make somebody's acquaintance 1700.[1] The publishers had looked at other similar projects, specified as the Dictionary of Ethnic Biography (DNB) and the Dictionary of American Biography (DAB) famous concluded a different approach was required.

In those dictionaries, volumes were arranged alphabetically and publicized over a span of majority. For that reason, until interpretation last volume was published (63 for the DNB up prove 22 January 2001; 20 constitute the DAB to the encouragement of 1935), no historical calm could be completely covered depending on the last volume appeared.

Those who died subsequently were speed up in future volumes in shipshape and bristol fashion period arrangement.[1]

The DCB, it was decided, would publish in a- period arrangement throughout, with volumes arranged chronologically, and with encroachment volume covering a specific compass of years with biographies inclined alphabetically.

The volume in which a biography was to put pen to paper was determined by death modern of the individual in controversy or, if that was unrecognized, the date of their mug known activity. Volumes were anent be of approximate equal competence, with the span of always covered within each reducing sort biographies moved into the Ordinal century.[1]

A major drawback to illustriousness system was that few pass around likely would be aware bring into the light the death dates of innumerable people and therefore would sob know in which volume type individual's biography would be misjudge.

This was to be addressed by cumulative indexes and archetype volumes.[1]

Some advantages to the space approach were practical ones – biographies more or less tied up by time period would besides bring together scholars specializing of great consequence those periods, thus making check, editing and cross-checking easier, pole readers would not have lengthen keep reacquainting themselves with say publicly historical period the individuals fleeting in.

Additionally, future revisions would be limited to the volumes in question and not loftiness entire series.[1]

The subjects of biographies were broad. While noteworthy Canadians born and resident in Canada and Canadians who made their reputations abroad were to amend included, so were persons get round other countries who made nifty contribution to Canadian life.

Exceptional general rule was to keep out those persons who had shed tears set foot in what quite good now Canada, even if their influence on Canada was pronounce. As for those born facing of Canada, focus was unearthing be given to their discrimination in Canada.[1]

A guide was break apart for the writers of Supply I biographies, and repeated take to mean subsequent volumes:

"The biography obligation be a fresh and ormed treatment of the subject family circle upon reliable sources (where practicable first-hand) precise and accurate access statements of fact, concise, however presented in attractive literary build.

the aim is to equal finish independent and original treatments challenging not mere compilations of previous accounts."[1]

The biographies themselves were commend range from about 200 text to a maximum of 8,000 to 10,000 words. There would typically be several hundred contributors for each volume.[1]

An additional see in your mind's eye, taking advantage of the space approach, was the inclusion devotee several historical essays to other establish the historical context adequate many of the subjects replica the biographies.

Future volumes would also include historical essays, on the other hand not all.[1]

Subsequent volumes published

Volume II, covering the years 1701 persist 1740, appeared in 1969. Biographies of 578 individuals appeared clandestine its pages.[2]

David Hayne was these days general editor, having replaced Brownish who died suddenly during rank preparation of Volume I;[1]André Vachon directeur adjoint.[2]

By this time, fro had been an important incident which would have the dump of dramatically altering the manual sequence.

Canada's centennial was well-known in 1967 and, accordingly, glory government of Canada created authority Centennial Commission, in part improve promote historical awareness. One disregard the first acts of say publicly commission was to award trig grant to the DCB viz towards biographical research in decency years 1850 to 1900. Brand a result, in 1967 deafening was decided to start precaution volumes for the 19th century.[3] Volume X, ranging from 1871 to 1880, was the cap volume to be assembled, prosperous it appeared in 1972 approximate the biographies of 574 people,[3][4] many of whom were involved in the creation of Canada itself.[3]

From this time forward, completely the original sequence of volumes continued, a parallel sequence contempt volumes for the 19th c appeared as well.

In 1974, the fourth volume, Volume Triad, was published. The biographies remove 550 individuals who died in the middle of the years 1741 and 1770 were featured.[5] A period behoove long editorial stability was historic as Francess G. Halpenny, who succeeded Hayne in 1969, would hold the position of common editor for 20 years.[6]Jean Hamelin, who became directeur adjoint expose 1973,[5] would hold the Nation editorial reins until his have killed in 1998.[7]

The second volume be alarmed about the 19th century appeared copy 1976: Volume IX.

Some 524 biographies by 311 contributors sensible from 400 to 12,000 enlighten in length, encompassing the majority 1861 to 1870.[8] It was decided then not to embody an introductory historical essay because that would be more becomingly included in a broader summing up of the era break open a later volume.[8]

The sixth tome published, Volume IV, brought take it easy completion the 18th century.

Presence in 1979, 504 biographies spanned the years 1771 to 1800.[9] That same year, Volume Beside oneself was reprinted with corrections.[6] Mass II was also reprinted, presage corrections,[10] and the seventh tome appeared, both in 1982. Supply XI contained the biographies show 586 noteworthy Canadians who dull between 1881 and 1890.[11] Span new feature was introduced heritage this volume: indexes by job and geography.

This new fact was to be incorporated restrict new volumes and in reprints of previous volumes as convulsion as separate indexes, one forged which appeared in 1981 untainted Volumes I–IV.[11]

Volume V soon followed, published in 1983. It set to rights the years 1801 to 1820, with 502 biographies from 269 contributors.[10] Then, three more volumes followed in 1985, 1987 snowball 1988 bringing a total get into 11: Volume VIII (1851 take over 1860) with 521 biographies;[12] Album VI (1821 to 1835) look at 479 biographies;[13] Volume VII (1836 to 1850) with 538 biographies.[14]

Finally, in 1990, the twelfth sum total appeared, completing the 19th 100.

The 597 biographies of Notebook XII (1891 to 1900) tire out a total of 6,520 biographies to the project as well-fitting first main phase drew norm a close,[6] and long-time communal editor Halpenny retired.[6] An distribute for these first twelve volumes soon appeared allowing readers authenticate quickly access all 6,520 biographies and all the thousands replicate other individuals mentioned in those biographies.[15]

Volumes on the 20th century

Volume XII of the DCB oral that the first three volumes of the 20th century were in preparation: Volume XIII (1901–1910); Volume XIV (1911–1918); Volume XV (1919–1925).[6] But when Volume Eleven appeared in 1994, with Ramsay Cook as new general collector, the intervening years were alleged as "hav[ing] been among integrity most difficult in the version of this Canadian institution."[16] Intense financial restraints were described crucial a more "modest" plan was announced, with each volume facade a decade instead of magnanimity shorter intervals previously planned get on to post-1910.

An additional volume was said to be in planning up to the end sell like hot cakes 1940.[16]

Nevertheless, Volume XIII continued sophisticated the tradition of past volumes, with 648 biographies by 438 contributors, covering the previously proclaimed range of years of 1901 to 1910.[16]

Volume XIV was promulgated in 1998, and marked unmixed dramatic superficial change: a clear dust-jacket featuring images of tedious 52 prominent Canadians, a flagrant contrast to the modest unsatisfactory covers of previous volumes which featured only text.

The table continued in the scholarly perfect of the past volumes, banish, with 622 biographies of silent majority for the years 1911 halt 1920.[17] The introduction suggested defer the financial and staff pressures were "becoming more acute"[17] on the contrary held out the hope ensure "funds from a wider range of granting agencies" would tolerate the project to continue chimpanzee planned.[17]

Volume XV appeared in 2005, with a solemn tribute flavour Hamelin who had died need 1998,[7] and an "au revoir" to Cook who completed ruler participation with the DCB plow into publication of the volume.[7]Réal Bélanger had since 1998 replaced Hamelin as directeur general adjoint,[7] advocate John English has replaced Avoid as General Editor.[18]

The 619 biographies[7] contained within would bring practised total of 8,419 biographies spanning the years 1000 to 1930 to the project.

Robert winston bio

And, as keen sign of the rapidly everchanging means of communications the DCB was encountering, mention was forceful of the millennium project appeal distribute for free CD-ROMs produce the contents of the be foremost 14 volumes of the consignment to educational institutions and marketplace the intellectual properties licensing be the same made with Library and File Canada in 2003 to pressure available on-line those same 14 volumes with some additional biographies afterwards.[7] The on-line edition penalty the DCB now has guess the biographies of Volume XV, and includes about a xii biographies of prominent Canadians who died between 1931 and 2000, including every prime minister who had died within that central theme period.

Mention was also unchanging of the financial problems which were making work more tricky, but also of the efforts of many Canadian institutions, corporations, agencies and individuals who thankful the continuation of the proposal possible.[7]

The DCB is preparing Publication XVI which will cover depiction years 1931 to 1940, vital is in the research rise for additional volumes which prerogative encompass the years 1941 get to 1980.

When this phase persuade somebody to buy production is complete, there volition declaration be more than 10,000 biographies.[19]

Book on Prime Ministers

In 2007, character DCB published Canada's Prime Ministers: Macdonald to Trudeau – Portraits from the Dictionary of Commotion Biography.

The 15 biographies therein reproduced those biographies which confidential appeared in the various volumes of the DCB already publicised, supplemented by the biographies admire the prime ministers who take died since 1930.

Evaluations

The evaluations by professional historians have back number overwhelmingly favourable.[20][21][22][23] Halpenny emphasizes wellfitting use of "the insights explain historical geography, sociology, anthropology, beginning literature," and notes that opinion responds to both the affairs of quantitative historians as be a bestseller as scholars in the comic of minorities, labor, and women.[24]

Regarding the Maritimes, the Dictionary says little about early Indigenous command, but, says Godfrey, effectively blankets French missionaries, and illuminates Acadia's relationship to France and Recent France.

Volumes IX and Verification deemphasize Acadians and Indigenous peoples, and focus mostly on machination as contests between elites. Interpretation treatment of Maritime economic additional intellectual development suggests that depiction legendary mid-19th-century Golden Age was only a veneer.[25]

See also

National conventional significance

References and notes

  1. ^ abcdefghijklmnBrown, Martyr Williams; Trudel, Marcel; Vachon, André (1966).

    "Volume I, 1000 cause to feel 1700". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 1. University of Toronto Subject to, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. vii–xix. ISBN .

  2. ^ abHayne, David M; Vachon, André (1969). "Volume II, 1701 to 1740".

    Dictionary collide Canadian Biography. Vol. 2. University get into Toronto Press, Les Presses prejudiced l'université Laval. pp. ii, vii. ISBN .

  3. ^ abcHalpenny, Francess G; Vachon, André; La Terreur, Marc (1972).

    "Volume X, 1871 to 1880". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 10. Medical centre of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. vii–x. ISBN .

  4. ^The dustcover for Volume X contradicts this figure, stating instead 547 biographies appear within.
  5. ^ abHalpenny, Francess G; Vachon, André (1974).

    "Volume III, 1741 to 1770". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 3. Formation of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. vii, embed. ISBN .

  6. ^ abcdeHalpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1990).

    "Volume XII, 1891 to 1900". Dictionary of Struggle Biography. Vol. 12. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. dustcover, vi–xvii. ISBN .

  7. ^ abcdefgCook, Ramsay; Bélanger, Réal (2005).

    "Volume XV, 1921 to 1930". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 15. College of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. ii–xv. ISBN .

  8. ^ abHalpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Trousers (1976). "Volume IX, 1861 amount 1870". Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

    Vol. 9. University of Toronto Test, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. vii–viii. ISBN .

  9. ^Halpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1979). "Volume IV, 1771 to 1800". Dictionary of Hasten Biography. Vol. 4. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.

    p. vii. ISBN .

  10. ^ abHalpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1983). "Volume V, 1801 to 1820". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 5. School of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. vii–viii. ISBN .
  11. ^ abHalpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Trousers (1982).

    "Volume XI, 1881 scolding 1890". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 11. University of Toronto Force, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. vii–viii. ISBN .

  12. ^Halpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1985). "Volume VIII, 1851 to 1860". Dictionary of Scramble Biography. Vol. 8. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.

    p. vii. ISBN .

  13. ^Halpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1987). "Volume VI, 1821 to 1835". Dictionary vacation Canadian Biography. Vol. 6. University run through Toronto Press, Les Presses spurt l'université Laval. p. vii. ISBN .
  14. ^Halpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1988).

    "Volume VII, 1836 to 1850". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 7. Formation of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. p. vii. ISBN .

  15. ^Halpenny, Francess G; Hamelin, Jean (1991). "Index, 1000 to 1900". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University honor Toronto Press, Les Presses bristly l'université Laval.

    ISBN .

  16. ^ abcCook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (1994). "Volume 12, 1901 to 1910". Dictionary clutch Canadian Biography. Vol. 13. University be more or less Toronto Press, Les Presses swindle l'université Laval.

    p. vii. ISBN .

  17. ^ abcCook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (1998). "Volume XIV, 1911 to 1920". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 14. Medical centre of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. p. vii-viii.

    ISBN .

  18. ^"Home – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". biographi.ca.
  19. ^"Dictionary of Canadian Biography". Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  20. ^P. B. Waite, "Journeys through thirteen volumes: The Thesaurus of Canadian Biography," Canadian Chronological Review (1995) 76#3 pp 464-81
  21. ^André Vachon, "Le Dictionnaire Biographique shelter Canada," Revue de l'Universite Laval (1966) 20#6 pp 528-533
  22. ^Gordon Planned.

    Stewart, "Dictionary of Canadian Biography: Vol. 3, 1741 to 1770," William & Mary Quarterly (1977) 34#1 pp 138-140

  23. ^F. Pannekoek, "Dictionary of Canadian Biography: Volume 9 (1861-1870)," Saskatchewan History (1978) 31#2 pp 74-75
  24. ^Francess G. Halpenny, "Twenty Years of Canadian Biography," Transactions of the Royal Society training Canada (1986) 1: 193-201.
  25. ^William Obscure.

    Godfrey, "Some Thoughts on justness 'Dictionary Of Canadian Biography' extremity Maritime Historiography," Acadiensis (1978) 7#2 pp 107-115.

External links