Montreal from 1535 to 1914. Vol. 3. Biographical

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

48480

Title

Montreal from 1535 to 1914. Vol. 3. Biographical

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This biographical volume chronicles the rise of Montreal's most influential empire builders, including R.B. Angus, Leonidas Villeneuve, and Lord Strathcona. Through detailed accounts of their careers in finance, lumber, and railway development, the text explores how these men shaped Canada's economic landscape and civic institutions from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume III of William H. Atherton's *Montreal from 1535 to 1914* serves as a biographical chronicle of the city's transition from a colonial outpost to a thriving industrial nation. The volume focuses on the era's social and political elite, illustrating how perseverance, public service, and the fusion of business acumen with civic duty built a great empire. The narrative centers on three pivotal figures who defined this modern era. Richard Bladworth Angus, a Scottish-born financier, is portrayed as a man of peace and high principle. Arriving in Montreal in 1857, he became the guiding hand of the Bank of Montreal, shaping its financial policy and advising Dominion finance ministers. His foresight was instrumental in the success of the Canadian Pacific Railway, where he worked alongside peers like Lord Mount Stephen and Lord Strathcona to expand the Dominion's infrastructure. Beyond his financial dominance, Angus was a generous philanthropist who supported McGill University, various hospitals, and the arts, declining knighthood to remain a steward of his vast interests. The text then shifts to Leonidas Villeneuve, a self-made lumber magnate who transformed the district north of Mount Royal Avenue. Starting from humble beginnings, Villeneuve built the L. Villeneuve Company into an extensive enterprise through wise real estate investments. He was a stalwart conservative and a dedicated civic leader, serving three terms as mayor of Ville St. Louis. His leadership was crucial in planning roadways and parks, turning a sparsely settled region into an attractive residential area. Universally respected for his unswerving honesty, he balanced his business success with deep involvement in Roman Catholic church affairs. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to Donald A. Smith, later Lord Strathcona. His biography details his grueling apprenticeship in the Hudson's Bay Company's Arctic outposts, where he endured extreme cold and privations to master the wilderness. His most heroic moment occurred during the Red River Rebellion of 1869. When the Northwest Territories were transferred from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Crown, tensions escalated into armed resistance led by Louis Riel. Smith, appointed special commissioner, traveled unarmed to Fort Garry to mediate. Despite being treated as a prisoner and facing the threat of violence, he used his practical wisdom and reasonableness to avert bloodshed. He successfully negotiated the peaceful transfer of the territory, saving the Northwest for Canada. Through these interconnected lives, the volume captures the spirit of the empire builders who forged modern Canada.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History
• Travel