Great Scots! How the Scots Created Canada by Matthew Shaw by Matthew Shaw by Matthew Shaw

by Matthew Shaw

Through the fur trade, the Orcadians of the Hudson's Bay Company and their rivals the Scottish Nor'Westers of Montreal, formed the backbone of North America's first continent-wide industry more than 200 years ago. Branching out from the fur trade, Scots created the first banks, universities, railways and shipping lines and played leading roles in politics, the military and Western settlement.

This book celebrates, in words and stunning images, the vital and pervasive role the Scots played not only in the creation of Canada and its fundamental institutions, but the role they continue in our increasingly multicultural society.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2003

Reviews

[Alex MacKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters reflect several of the positive Scottish contributions to Canada: Exploration & the Fur Trade, political development & nation-building, military conquest & defence, immigration & settlement, business & trade, banking & finance, Transportation (railways & canals), education & universities, and Literature (fiction, non-fiction, satire, poetry, etc).
The overall theme of this tome indicates that many early Scots immigrants were influenced by the potent ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment, and therefore directed their energies not only building their own fortunes, but also involving themselves in public affairs to better the lives of others.
Highly recommended!