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Biography & Autobiography Political

Boundless Optimism

Richard McBride's British Columbia

by (author) Patricia E. Roy

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2012
Category
Political, British Columbia (BC), Post-Confederation (1867-), General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774823883
    Publish Date
    Nov 2012
    List Price
    $95.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774823890
    Publish Date
    Jul 2013
    List Price
    $32.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774823906
    Publish Date
    Nov 2012
    List Price
    $32.95

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Description

Patricia E. Roy is the winner of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Historical Association.

 

The first decade and a half of the twentieth century was mostly a time of unprecedented prosperity and growth in British Columbia. Although its colonial history was still etched in the public psyche, BC was coming into its own as a province of Canada and starting to realize the untapped economic potential of its natural resources.

 

Richard McBride served four terms as BC’s premier, from 1903 to 1915, building a reputation as a charismatic and optimistic leader whose vision of a modern, industrialized, and wealthy province helped shape BC’s institutions and its place in the British world. McBride stabilized the legislature by introducing party lines, promoted provincial causes in Ottawa, and above all encouraged new railways. His fight for “Better Terms” and his association with leading federal Conservatives made him a national figure, while his support of the Imperial navy and British investment brought him attention in London and a knighthood. Boundless Optimism chronicles the brilliant career of this often-overlooked leader and the province he helped create.

About the author

Awards

  • Winner, Patricia E. Roy is the recipient of the Canadian Historical Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for 2013

Contributor Notes

Patricia E. Roy, professor emerita of history at the University of Victoria, is the author of many books on the history of British Columbia, including The Triumph of Citizenship: The Japanese and Chinese in Canada, 1941-67; The Oriental Question: Consolidating a White Man's Province, 1914-41; and A White Man's Province: British Columbia Politicians and Chinese and Japanese Immigrants, 1858-1914.