Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Dictionary of Canadian Biography is a comprehensive reference work that provides detailed biographies of Canada's most notable individuals, including Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chrétien, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Lester B. Pearson, and Robert Borden. The dictionary is a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and scholars studying Canadian history, Quebec history, and the lives of prominent Canadians such as Tommy Douglas, Nellie McClung, and Emily Carr. With its extensive coverage of Canadian politics, Canadian art, and Canadian literature, the dictionary is an essential tool for understanding the country's rich cultural heritage, including the contributions of notable figures like Leonard Cohen, Margaret Atwood, and Alice Munro. The dictionary also explores the lives of important historical figures, including Samuel de Champlain, Jacques Cartier, and Laura Secord, who played significant roles in shaping Canadian history.

Introduction

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography is a monumental work that has been in publication since 1966, with the first volume covering the years 1000-1700 and featuring biographies of notable individuals such as Champlain, Étienne Brûlé, and Jean de Brébeuf. The dictionary is published by the University of Toronto Press and is available in both print and online formats, making it accessible to researchers and scholars at institutions like the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia. The dictionary's introduction provides an overview of the project's history and scope, highlighting the contributions of notable editors like George Brown, George-Étienne Cartier, and Alexander Galt. The introduction also acknowledges the support of organizations like the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.

History

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography has a long and storied history, dating back to the 1950s when the project was first conceived by a group of Canadian historians, including Donald Creighton, W.L. Morton, and Arthur Lower. The first volume was published in 1966 and was edited by George Brown, George-Étienne Cartier, and Alexander Galt. Subsequent volumes were published at regular intervals, with the most recent volume covering the years 1921-1930 and featuring biographies of notable individuals like R.B. Bennett, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Baldwin, Robert Baldwin. The dictionary has been supported by organizations like the Canadian Historical Association, the Société historique du Canada, and the Archives of Ontario.

Content and Scope

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography contains over 15,000 biographies of notable Canadians, including politicians like John A. Macdonald, Wilfrid Laurier, and Pierre Trudeau, as well as artists like Emily Carr, Tom Thomson, and Group of Seven. The dictionary also covers the lives of important historical figures like Samuel de Champlain, Jacques Cartier, and Laura Secord, who played significant roles in shaping Canadian history. The biographies are written by expert historians and scholars, including Donald Creighton, W.L. Morton, and Arthur Lower, and are based on extensive research in archives and libraries like the Library and Archives Canada, the Archives of Ontario, and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. The dictionary's scope is broad, covering all aspects of Canadian life, including politics, art, literature, and history, and featuring biographies of notable figures like Leonard Cohen, Margaret Atwood, and Alice Munro.

Publication and Accessibility

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography is published by the University of Toronto Press and is available in both print and online formats. The online version is hosted by the University of Toronto and can be accessed through the university's website, making it a valuable resource for researchers and scholars at institutions like McGill University, University of British Columbia, and University of Alberta. The dictionary is also available through online databases like JSTOR and Project MUSE, and can be accessed through libraries like the Library of Parliament, the Toronto Reference Library, and the Vancouver Public Library. The dictionary's publication has been supported by organizations like the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Editorial Process

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography is edited by a team of expert historians and scholars, including Donald Creighton, W.L. Morton, and Arthur Lower. The editorial process involves extensive research and review, with each biography being written and reviewed by multiple experts before publication. The dictionary's editors work closely with contributors to ensure the accuracy and quality of the biographies, and the dictionary is regularly updated to reflect new research and discoveries. The editorial process is supported by organizations like the Canadian Historical Association, the Société historique du Canada, and the Archives of Ontario.

Impact and Significance

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography has had a significant impact on the field of Canadian history and has been widely praised for its comprehensive coverage and scholarly rigor. The dictionary has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Governor General's Award and the Canada Prize in the Humanities. The dictionary has also been widely used by researchers and scholars, including historians like Pierre Berton, Desmond Morton, and Jack Granatstein, and has been cited in numerous publications, including The Canadian Encyclopedia, The Oxford Companion to Canadian History, and The Cambridge History of Canada. The dictionary's significance extends beyond the academic community, with its biographies providing a valuable resource for teachers, students, and the general public, and featuring notable figures like Tommy Douglas, Nellie McClung, and Emily Carr.