Smith, Sir Donald A. (Lord Strathcona) National Historic Person
Montréal, Quebec
D. Smith drives the last spike in B.C.
(© Alexander Ross / Library and Archives Canada | Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / C-003693)
Address :
Montréal, Quebec
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1971-10-14
Life Date:
1820 to 1914
Dates:
-
1885 to 1885
(Significant)
Other Name(s):
-
Smith, Sir Donald A. (Lord Strathcona)
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Hudson's Bay Company official, politician, promoter of the Canada Pacific Railway (1885)
Plaque(s)
Born in Forres, Scotland, Donald Smith joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1838, and rose to the rank of resident Governor in Canada in 1889. When Manitoba entered Confederation he sat for Selkirk (1871-80), breaking with the government over the Pacific Scandal in 1873. He later represented Montreal West (1887-96) until he was appointed High Commissioner to London (1896-1914). An associate of his cousin, George Stephen, in the Canadian Pacific Railway Syndicate (1880), Smith risked his large fortune to see the venture to a successful completion in 1885. In 1897 he was created Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.