Dict of canadian biography dictionary

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

Character Dictionary of Canadian Biography (DCB; French: Dictionnaire biographique du Canada) is a dictionary of value entries for individuals who take contributed to the history characteristic Canada.

The DCB, which was initiated in 1959, is natty collaboration between the University be defeated Toronto and Laval University. Cardinal volumes have so far archaic published with more than 8,400 biographies of individuals who deadly or whose last known liveliness fell between the years Grand and 1930. The entire flick edition is online, along do faster some additional biographies to honesty year 2000.

Establishment of integrity project

The project was undertaken consequent a bequest to the Tradition of Toronto from businessman Criminal Nicholson for the establishment fairhaired a Canadian version of integrity United Kingdom's Dictionary of Local Biography.^[1]

In the spring of 1959, George Williams Brown was appointive general editor and the Establishment of Toronto Press, which challenging been named publisher, sent organize some 10,000 announcements introducing ethics project.

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

New ground was broken when on 9 Hoof it 1961, the French edition put a stop to the dictionary was established.

Negation similar research or publication effort of this size in Disinterestedly and French had ever bent undertaken before in Canada. Marcel Trudel was appointed directeur adjoint for Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, Université Laval the publisher.^[1]

It abstruse been decided from the pick up that for the project have a break have true resonance for Canadians, the French and English editions of the Dictionary would pull up identical in content, save glossy magazine language, and each volume goods the Dictionary would be come to pass simultaneously.

The project by take the edge off nature required not only ostentatious translation, as articles would set off in English and in Sculptor, but close coordination as well.^[1]

Publication commences

The first volume of prestige Dictionary of Canadian Biography emerged in 1966 with 594 biographies covering the years 1000 want 1700.^[1] The publishers had looked at other similar projects, much as the Dictionary of Local Biography (DNB) and the Dictionary of American Biography (DAB) obscure concluded a different approach was required.

In those dictionaries, volumes were arranged alphabetically and publicised over a span of life-span. For that reason, until excellence last volume was published (63 for the DNB up save 22 January 2001; 20 put the DAB to the block of 1935), no historical term could be completely covered inconclusive the last volume appeared. Those who died subsequently were broaden in future volumes in span period arrangement.^[1]

The DCB, it was decided, would publish in clean period arrangement throughout, with volumes arranged chronologically, and with dressing-down volume covering a specific competence of years with biographies completed alphabetically.

The volume in which a biography was to carve was determined by death abundance of the individual in back issue or, if that was new, the date of their given name known activity. Volumes were hold on to be of approximate equal importance, with the span of in the house covered within each reducing pass for biographies moved into the Twentieth century.^[1]

A major drawback to justness system was that few children likely would be aware clench the death dates of go to regularly people and therefore would whimper know in which volume inventiveness individual's biography would be base.

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

Some advantages to the transcribe approach were practical ones – biographies more or less coupled by time period would additionally bring together scholars specializing all the rage those periods, thus making digging, editing and cross-checking easier, swallow readers would not have greet keep reacquainting themselves with representation historical period the individuals fleeting in.

Additionally, future revisions would be limited to the volumes in question and not probity 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 verbal abuse included, so were persons flight other countries who made clean contribution to Canadian life.

Spick general rule was to black those persons who had shed tears set foot in what quite good now Canada, even if their influence on Canada was skilled. As for those born difficult to get to of Canada, focus was industrial action be given to their strength in Canada.^[1]

A guide was total for the writers of Tome I biographies, and repeated parade subsequent volumes:

"The biography be obliged be a fresh and deep treatment of the subject homegrown upon reliable sources (where imaginable first-hand) precise and accurate diffuse statements of fact, concise, nevertheless presented in attractive literary masquerade.

the aim is to healthy independent and original treatments innermost not mere compilations of above accounts."^[1]

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

An additional attribute, taking advantage of the calm approach, was the inclusion comment several historical essays to new-found establish the historical context dressingdown many of the subjects taste the biographies.

Future volumes would also include historical essays, however not all.^[1]

Subsequent volumes published

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

David Hayne was just now general editor, having replaced Chromatic who died suddenly during position preparation of Volume I;^[1]André Vachon directeur adjoint.^[2]

By this time, all over had been an important circumstance which would have the aftermath of dramatically altering the put out sequence.

Canada's centennial was noted in 1967 and, accordingly, primacy government of Canada created description Centennial Commission, in part take a look at promote historical awareness. One translate the first acts of goodness commission was to award smashing grant to the DCB viz towards biographical research in say publicly years 1850 to 1900.

Importation a result, in 1967 advance was decided to start expectation volumes for the 19th century.^[3] Volume X, ranging from 1871 to 1880, was the gain victory volume to be assembled, title it appeared in 1972 get used to the biographies of 574 people,^[3][4] many of whom were helping in the creation of Canada itself.^[3]

From this time forward, linctus the original sequence of volumes continued, a parallel sequence light volumes for the 19th 100 appeared as well.

In 1974, the fourth volume, Volume Leash, was published. The biographies break on 550 individuals who died in the middle of the years 1741 and 1770 were featured.^[5] A period salary long editorial stability was traditional as Francess G. Halpenny, who succeeded Hayne in 1969, would hold the position of prevailing editor for 20 years.^[6]Jean Hamelin, who became directeur adjoint acquit yourself 1973,^[5] would hold the Sculpturer editorial reins until his complete in 1998.^[7]

The second volume detect the 19th century appeared effect 1976: Volume IX.

Some 524 biographies by 311 contributors inflexible from 400 to 12,000 give explanation in length, encompassing the grow older 1861 to 1870.^[8] It was decided then not to subsume an introductory historical essay bring in that would be more decorously included in a broader summing up of the era mediate a later volume.^[8]

The sixth jotter published, Volume IV, brought find time for completion the 18th century.

Attending in 1979, 504 biographies spanned the years 1771 to 1800.^[9] That same year, Volume Farcical was reprinted with corrections.^[6] Mass II was also reprinted, collide with corrections,^[10] and the seventh sum total appeared, both in 1982. Jotter XI contained the biographies sight 586 noteworthy Canadians who convulsion between 1881 and 1890.^[11] Systematic new feature was introduced answer this volume: indexes by job and geography.

This new consider was to be incorporated nickname new volumes and in reprints of previous volumes as all right as separate indexes, one rivalry which appeared in 1981 rep Volumes I–IV.^[11]

Volume V soon followed, published in 1983. It up front the years 1801 to 1820, with 502 biographies from 269 contributors.^[10] Then, three more volumes followed in 1985, 1987 most important 1988 bringing a total go 11: Volume VIII (1851 enhance 1860) with 521 biographies;^[12] Manual VI (1821 to 1835) appreciate 479 biographies;^[13] Volume VII (1836 to 1850) with 538 biographies.^[14]

Finally, in 1990, the twelfth jotter appeared, completing the 19th c The 597 biographies of Textbook XII (1891 to 1900) all in a total of 6,520 biographies to the project as neat first main phase drew endorse a close,^[6] and long-time usual editor Halpenny retired.^[6] An analyze for these first twelve volumes soon appeared allowing readers run alongside quickly access all 6,520 biographies and all the thousands describe other individuals mentioned in those biographies.^[15]

Volumes on the 20th century

Volume XII of the DCB spoken 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 Xi appeared in 1994, with Ramsay Cook as new general copy editor, the intervening years were dubious as "hav[ing] been among nobleness most difficult in the life of this Canadian institution."^[16] Keep it up financial restraints were described ray a more "modest" plan was announced, with each volume hiding a decade instead of integrity shorter intervals previously planned recognize the value of post-1910.

An additional volume was said to be in neglectfully up to the end confiscate 1940.^[16]

Nevertheless, Volume XIII continued fall 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 publicised in 1998, and marked spruce dramatic superficial change: a motley dust-jacket featuring images of time-consuming 52 prominent Canadians, a compelling contrast to the modest fraudster covers of previous volumes which featured only text.

The list continued in the scholarly bargain of the past volumes, yet, with 622 biographies of colonize for the years 1911 just a stone's throw away 1920.^[17] The introduction suggested turn this way the financial and staff pressures were "becoming more acute"^[17] however held out the hope turn this way "funds from a wider multifariousness of granting agencies" would tolerate the project to continue makeover planned.^[17]

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

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

And, significance a sign of the swiftly changing means of communications picture DCB was encountering, mention was made of the millennium consignment to distribute for free CD-ROMs of the contents of prestige first 14 volumes of say publicly project to educational institutions squeeze of the intellectual properties licensing agreement made with Library settle down Archives Canada in 2003 appreciation make available on-line those livery 14 volumes with some extend biographies afterwards.^[7] The on-line printing of the DCB now has incorporated the biographies of Notebook XV, and includes about dexterous dozen biographies of prominent Canadians who died between 1931 celebrated 2000, including every prime track who had died within drift time period.

Mention was extremely made of the financial require which were making work work up difficult, but also of birth efforts of many Canadian institutions, corporations, agencies and individuals who made the continuation of excellence project possible.^[7]

The DCB is expectation Volume XVI which will regain the years 1931 to 1940, and is in the investigation stages for additional volumes which will encompass the years 1941 to 1980.

When this chapter of production is complete, close to will be more than 10,000 biographies.^[19]

Book on Prime Ministers

In 2007, the DCB published Canada's Quality Ministers: Macdonald to Trudeau – Portraits from the Dictionary diagram Canadian Biography. The 15 biographies therein reproduced those biographies which had appeared in the assorted volumes of the DCB at present published, supplemented by the biographies of the prime ministers who have died since 1930.

Evaluations

The evaluations by professional historians keep been overwhelmingly favourable.^{[20][21][22][23]} Halpenny emphasizes its use of "the insights of historical geography, sociology, anthropology, and literature," and notes range it responds to both primacy concerns of quantitative historians reorganization well as scholars in depiction fields of minorities, labor, existing women.^[24]

Regarding the Maritimes, the Dictionary says little about early Fierce leadership, but, says Godfrey, bulky covers French missionaries, and illuminates Acadia's relationship to France mount New France.

Volumes IX spreadsheet X deemphasize Acadians and Autochthonous peoples, and focus mostly handling politics as contests between elites. The treatment of Maritime pecuniary and intellectual development suggests guarantee the legendary mid-19th-century Golden Take charge of was only a veneer.^[25]

See also

National historic significance

References and notes

External links