Donald Alexander Smith

Donald Alexander Smith (August 6, 1820 – January 21, 1914) was a Scottish born Canadian fur trader, financier, railroad baron and politician. Image File history File links Donald Alexander Smith, later Lord Strathcona, National Archives of Canada, C-5489 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Donald Alexander Smith, later Lord Strathcona, National Archives of Canada, C-5489 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Main languages English Scots Scottish Gaelic Doric Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ...

Smith was born in Forres, in Morayshire, Scotland, and briefly apprenticed to become a town clerk. He emigrated to Lower Canada in 1838 to work for the Hudson's Bay Company, becoming a clerk for the organization in 1842. He was given administrative control over the seigneury of Mingan (in modern Labrador) in late 1843, where his innovative methods met with the disapproval of HBC governor Sir George Simpson. The Mingan post burned down in 1846, and Smith left for Montreal the following year. He returned in 1848, and remained in Labrador until the 1860s, administering the fur trade and salmon fishing within the region. In 1862, Smith was promoted as the company's Chief Factor in change of the Labrador district. He traveled to London in 1865, and made a favourable impression on the HBC's directors. In 1868, he was promoted to Commissioner of the Montreal department, managing the HBC's eastern operations. That same year, Smith joined with George Stephen, Richard Bladworth Angus, and Andrew Paton to establish the textile manufactory, Paton Manufacturing Company, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Suenos Stone in Forres Forres, an ancient Royal Burgh Town, is situated in the North of Scotland on the Moray Coast. ... Morayshire or Elginshire (Siorrachd Mhoireibh in Gaelic) is one of the traditional counties of Scotland, bordering Nairnshire to the west, Inverness-shire to the south, and Banffshire to the east. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Main languages English Scots Scottish Gaelic Doric Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... Lower Canada was a British colony in North America, at the downstream end of the Saint Lawrence River in the southern portion of the modern-day province of Quebec. ... 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Hudsons Bay Company (HBC) (TSX: HBC) is the oldest corporation in Canada (and North America) and is one of the oldest in the world still in existence. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the seigneurial system in New France. ... This article is about the region in Canada. ... 1843 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... There have been at least two Sir George Simpsons: Sir George Simpson (probably 1792 - 1860), explorer and administrator of the Hudsons Bay Company Sir George Simpson (1878-1965), meteorologist See also: George Simpson This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... For more details on this topic, see History of Montreal. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The fur trade was a huge part in the early economic development of North America. ... The Chinook or King Salmon is the largest salmon in North America and can grow up to 58 long and 126 pounds. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... St. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1868 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... George Stephen George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen (June 5, 1829 – November 29, 1921) was a Scots-Quebecker banker and railway executive in Canada. ... Richard B. Angus, circa 1891 Richard Bladworth Angus (28 May 1831 – 17 September 1922) was a Scottish – born Canadian financier, banker and philanthropist. ... Downtown Sherbrooke with the Saint-François River in the foreground Sherbrooke (2001 population 75,916, post-merger population 141,200) is a city in south-eastern Quebec, Canada. ...

In 1869, Smith was sent to the Red River Settlement in present day Manitoba by the Canadian government to negotiate with Louis Riel, leader of the Red River Rebellion. Smith's offers, including land recognition for the Métis, led to Riel calling a Council of 40 representatives for formal negotiations. Smith succeeded in gaining clemency for some prisoners within the region; he was not, however, able to prevent the execution of Thomas Scott by the provisional government. 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Red River Colony was a colonization project set up by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk in 1811 on 300 000 km² of land granted to him by the Hudsons Bay Company under what is referred to as the Selkirk Concession. ... Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Glorious and free) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Lieutenant Governor John Harvard Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Area 647,797 km² (8th)  - Land 553,556 km²  - Water 64,241 km² (14. ... Louis Riel The Honourable Louis David Riel (October 22, 1844 – November 16, 1885), was a Canadian politician and leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. ... The Métis provisional government The Red River Rebellion of 1869 – 1870 is the term most often used to describe the actions of a provisional government established by Métis leader Louis Riel in 1869 at the Red River Settlement in what is now the Canadian province of Manitoba. ... The Métis (pronounced MAY tee, IPA: , in French: or ) are one of three recognized Canadian aboriginal groups whose homeland consists of the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories. ... Thomas Scott For Thomas Scott, the American politician, see: Thomas Scott (politician). ...

Smith returned to Ottawa in early 1870, and was appointed President of the HBC's Council of the Northern Department (effectively becoming administrator of the Northwest Territories, including Manitoba). He accompanied Col. Garnet Wolseley's military mission to Red River later in the year; following the end of the rebellion, Wolseley illegally appointed Smith as the Acting Governor of Assiniboia pending Lt. Governor Adams George Archibald's arrival in the province. Smith stayed in the region after 1870, and was responsible for negotiating the transfer of HBC land to the federal government (as well as coordinating the transfer of several specific land claims in the region). This article is about the capital city of Canada. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Motto: None Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Yellowknife Largest city Yellowknife Commissioner Tony Whitford Premier Joe Handley (Consensus government - no party affiliations) Area 1,346,106 km² (3rd)  - Land 1,183,085 km²  - Water 163,021 km² (12. ... 1882 caricature from Punch Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley of Cairo, (June 4, 1833 - March 26, 1913) was a British field marshal. ... Adams George Archibald The Honourable Sir Adams George Archibald, KCB , PC (May 3, 1814 – December 14, 1892) was a Canadian lawyer and politician, and a father of Confederation. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Archibald appointed Smith to his Executive Council on October 20, 1870, although this decision was subsequently overturned by the Canadian government which ruled that Archibald had overstepped his legal authority. In Manitoba's first general election, held on December 27, 1870, Smith was elected to the provincial legislature for the riding of Winnipeg and St. John, defeating long-time HBC nemesis John Christian Schultz by 70 votes to 63. Smith was a supporter of Archibald's consensus government, and opposed Schultz's ultra-loyalist Canadian Party; there was a riot among the Ontario soldiers stationed in Winnipeg following the announcement of Smith's victory. October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 72 days remaining. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Manitobas first general election (held on December 27, 1870) resulted in a victory for Lieutenant-Governor Adams George Archibalds governing coalition. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba is located in central Winnipeg, at the meeting point of the Wolseley and Fort Rouge ridings. ... John Christian Schultz The Honourable Sir John Christian Schultz (January 1, 1840 – April 13, 1896) was a Manitoba politician. ... The Canadian Party was a group founded by John Christian Schultz in 1869, in the Red River settlement (which later became the Canadian province of Manitoba). ...

Politicians were allowed to serve in both the provincial and federal parliaments in this period of Manitoba history, and Smith was elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the newly-formed riding of Selkirk in early 1871. He sat as an Independent Conservative, and initially supported the government of John A. Macdonald. Easily re-elected in 1872, Smith was a strong defender of HBC interests in the House of Commons, and also spoke for issues concerning Manitoba and the Northwest. He helped create the Bank of Manitoba and the Manitoba Insurance Company during this period, assisted by banker Hugh Allan. The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. ... for the provincial electoral district, see Selkirk (provincial electoral district) Selkirk was a former federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons, and located in the province of Manitoba. ... 1871 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Right Honourable Sir John Alexander Macdonald, KCMG, GCB, QC, PC (January 11, 1815 – June 6, 1891) was the first Prime Minister of Canada from July 1, 1867 – November 5, 1873 and October 17, 1878 – June 6, 1891. ... 1872 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Sir Hugh Allan (September 29, 1810 - December 9, 1882) was a Scottish born Canadian financier and shipowner. ...

Smith broke with Macdonald in 1873, after the Prime Minister had delayed reimbursement for Smith's earlier expenses in Red River. Smith voted to censure the government in a motion over the Pacific Scandal, and was thereby partly responsible for the government's defeat. Smith remained an Independent Conservative, but his relations with the official Conservative representatives were often strained in later years. 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Prime Minister of Canada, the head of the Canadian government, is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Canadian House of Commons. ... The Pacific scandal involves the allegations of bribes being taken by Canadas Conservative government of Sir John A. Macdonald. ... The name which emphasised a revitalised National Policy and links to Britain. ...

Manitoba abolished the "dual mandate" in 1873, and Smith resigned from the provincial legislature in early 1874 (the first person to do so). In the Canadian general election of 1874, Smith defeated Liberal candidate A.G.B. Bannatyne by 329 votes to 225. The Manitoba Free Press, at the time, suggested that Smith had encouraged Bannatyne's candidacy to prevent more serious opposition from emerging. 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Canadian federal election of 1874 was held on January 22, 1874. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada) is Canadas current governing political party. ... The Winnipeg Free Press is the primary daily newspaper of Winnipeg, Manitoba. ...

In 1873, the HBC separated its fur trade and land sales operations, putting Smith in charge of the latter. Smith had developed an interest in railway expansion through his work with the HBC, and in 1875 was among the incorporators of the Manitoba Western Railway. He was also a partner in the Red River Transportation Company, which gained control over the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in March 1878. His business ventures increasingly dominated his labours, and he formally resigned as land commissioner in early 1879 (though remaining a leading figure in the HBC's Canadian operations). 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Smith faced a serious electoral challenge from former Manitoba Lt. Governor Alexander Morris in the general election of 1878. Aided on this occasion by the Manitoba Free Press, Smith defeated Morris by 555 votes to 546; local Conservative organizers protested the result, and it was overturned two years later. On September 10, 1880, Smith was defeated by former Winnipeg Mayor Thomas Scott, 735 votes to 577. The Honourable Alexander Morris, PC (March 17, 1826 – October 28, 1889) was a Canadian politician. ... The Canadian federal election of 1878 resulted in the end of Canada suffered an economic depression during Mackenzies term, and his party was pounished by the voters for it. ... September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). ... 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Unum Cum Virtute Multorum (One With the Strength of Many) City of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada location. ... A mayor (from the Latin maīor, meaning larger,greater) is the politician who serves as chief executive official of some types of municipalities. ...

Smith drives the Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 7 November 1885, Craigellachie, British Columbia

In May 1879, Smith became a director in the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway Company, having control over 20% of its shares. He was subsequently a leading figure in the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway, although he was not appointed as a director of the organization until 1883 because of his lingering animosity with John A. Macdonald (who had again become Prime Minister in 1878). He remained on the board of executives for several years, although he was by-passed for the company's presidency in 1888, in favour of William Cornelius Van Horne. Last Spike of the CPR - Craigellachie, British Columbia, Canada Donald Smith driving the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. ... Last Spike of the CPR - Craigellachie, British Columbia, Canada Donald Smith driving the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. ... November 7 is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 54 days remaining. ... 1885 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Craigellachie, BC Craigellachie (IPA: , but or can be substituted for ; is another common pronunciation) is a locality in British Columbia, Canada, located several kilometres to the west of the Eagle Pass summit. ... 1879 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR; AAR reporting marks CP, CPAA, CPI), known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a Canadian Class I railway operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited. ... 1883 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... A prime minister may be either: the chief or leading member of the cabinet of the top-level government in a country having a parliamentary system of government; or the official, in countries with a semi-presidential system of government, appointed to manage the civil service and execute the directives... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... William Cornelius Van Horne William Cornelius Van Horne (February 3, 1843 – September 11, 1915) was a pioneering North American railway executive. ...

Smith became extremely wealthy through his investments, and was involved in a myriad of Canadian and American corporations in the later part of the 19th century. He was appointed to the board of the Bank of Montreal in 1872, became its Vice-President in 1882, and was promoted to the Presidency in 1887. Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) is Canadas oldest chartered bank. ... 1872 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1882 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1887 is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar). ...

Smith was also involved in the newspaper industry during this period. His attempt to take over the Toronto Globe in 1882 was unsuccessful, though he took effective control of the Manitoba Free Press from William Fisher Luxton in 1893. In 1889, he was the principal shareholder of the Hudson's Bay Company and was elected as its 26th governor, holding this position until his death in 1914. The Globe and Mail is a large Canadian English language national newspaper based in Toronto. ... 1882 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Winnipeg Free Press is the primary daily newspaper of Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... 1893 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

Smith was re-elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1887, in the Quebec riding of Montreal West, and once again sat as an "Independent Conservative". He was re-elected in the election of 1891, defeating his only opponent (one James Cochrane) 4586 votes to 880. Smith remained interested in Manitoba politics, and attempted (without success) to broker a compromise between Thomas Greenway and the federal government during the Manitoba school crisis of the 1890s. The Canadian federal election of 1887 was held on February 22, 1887. ... Beginning in 1963, a terrorist group that became known as the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) launched a decade of bombings, robberies and attacks on government offices and at least two murders by FLQ gunfire and three violent deaths by bombings. ... Montreal West was a former federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons, and located in the province of Quebec. ... The 1891 Canadian federal election was won by the Conservative Party of Sir John A. Macdonald. ... Thomas Greenway (March 25, 1838-October 30, 1908) was a politician, merchant and farmer. ... The Manitoba Schools Question was a political crisis in Canada in the late 19th century involving separate schools. ...

Prime Minister Mackenzie Bowell wanted Smith to succeed him in 1896, but Smith refused. The position of Prime Minister instead went to Charles Tupper, who appointed Smith as High Commissioner to London, England on April 24, 1896. The Honourable Sir Mackenzie Bowell, KCB , PC (December 27, 1824 – December 10, 1917) was the fifth Prime Minister of Canada from December 21, 1894 to April 27, 1896. ... 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Right Honourable Sir Charles Tupper, PC , GCMG , DCL , LL.D , MD (July 2, 1821 – October 30, 1915) was the sixth Prime Minister of Canada and, as of 2005, the one with the shortest term of office. ... April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (115th in leap years). ...

Wilfrid Laurier retained Smith as High Commissioner following the Liberal election victory of 1896, although his powers were somewhat undercut. Smith, nevertheless, cooperated with Manitoba Liberal Clifford Sifton in opening the Canadian prairies to eastern-European immigration. He raised Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), a private unit of Canadian soldiers, during the Boer War, and became one of the leading supporters of British imperialism within London. He was involved in the creation of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, of which he became the chairman in 1909. Smith subsequently used his influence to make the company a major supplier of the British navy. Laurier re-directs here. ... The Canadian federal election of 1896 was held on July 11, 1896. ... Sir Clifford Sifton (March 10, 1861 – April 17, 1929) was a Canadian politician best known for being Minister of the Interior under Sir Wilfrid Laurier. ... Lord Strathconas Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH [RC]) is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. ... Boer guerrillas during the Second Boer War There were two Boer wars, one from December 16, 1880-March 23, 1881 and the second from October 11, 1899-May 31, 1902 both between the British and the settlers of Dutch, French and German origin (called Boers, Afrikaners or Voortrekkers) in South... Following the discovery of a large oil field in Masjet Soleiman, in Iran, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) was founded in 1909. ... 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Smith was a leading philanthropist in his later years, donating large sums of money to various organizations in both Britain and Canada. His largest donations were made with George Stephen, donating the money to build the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal that opened its doors in 1893. Smith also made a major donation to McGill University in Montreal, where he helped establish a school for women in 1884. He was named Chancellor of McGill in 1888, and held the largely ceremonial post until his death. The Royal Victoria Hospital at 687 Pine Avenue West in Montreal, Quebec, Canada was established in 1893, through the financial contributions of two Scottish immigrants, Donald Smith and George Stephen. ... McGill University is a publicly funded, research-intensive, non-denominational, co-educational university located in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ...

Smith died in 1914. His seventy-five year tenure with the Hudson's Bay Company remains a record. 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

External link

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Political biography from the Library of Parliament