Notes on the History of Canada

Notes on the History of Canada, prepared for the visit of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Ottawa: J. de Labroquerie Taché, 1919.

Notes on the History of Canada was prepared as a reference book for the tour of the Prince of Wales to Canada in 1919.  The book provided the historical context of Canada, in general, and for the various places included on the tour itinerary.  

Although the authorship of this book is not identified in the publication, it was created under the direction of The Public Archives.  Direction if not also the authorship can be attributed to AGD, as the format and content is similar to other works where AGD was the author.  See also the manuscript, “Tour of the Prince of Wales in Canada” by Doughty, ca. 1922.  It is certain that AGD was familiar with Notes on the History of Canada as he inscribed a copy to Fred Cook.  

The 1919 Royal Tour by The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) of Canada began on 11 August 1919 with his arrival by ship in Newfoundland.  It ended on 10 November, when he left Canada to begin his visit of the United States.

The 280 page book included: a section on the History of Canada which provided a general summary, highlighting Canada’s key political developments; a chronology of Canada and the Royal Family from 1670 to 1918; historical notes on the various Canadian cities, town and places on the tour itinerary including St. John, Halifax, Charlottetown, Tadousac, Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, New Ontario, Winnipeg, The Prairie Provinces, British Columbia, Southern Ontario, Montreal, and Sherbrooke; and a chronology of key dates in Canadian history.  

The Wilson Collection includes a green leather-bound print copy of Notes on the History of Canada with the inscription “To Fred Cook from Arthur Doughty”. This copy was reviewed; select images are pictured above.

A print copy of Notes on the History of Canada held by Queen’s University (OCLC #28327953) was reviewed; select images are pictured above.