In this book, Paul Phillips traces the position of British history in the universities and shows how Canada's changing relationship with Britain has affected the history curriculum. In the early twentieth century, Canadian history began to develop as a distinct field, often linked, however, with British history since the two subjects were frequently taught by the same person. The British background and training of many academics also ensured the continuing importance of British history at most universities until the 1950s.

Paul T. Phillips is Senior Research Professor and Professor Emeritus in History at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Paul T. Phillips' profile page

Britain's Past in Canada is an engaging and often amusing study of the various votaries of Clio in action in Canadian academe.

Victorian Studies

Readers can turn confidently to this resourceful book by Professor Phillips as a sure guide to the fortunes of British history since the late nineteenth century. For all its unassuming character, unadorned language, and colloquial approach, this splendid little book conveys a powerful message that post-graduates should never forget.

The American Review of Canadian Studies

Paul Phillips sketches some of the outlines of an important chapter in Canadian intellectual history centring on the relationship between the study of British history and the development of both Canadian history and the Canadian historical profession. It is a subject that Phillips by no means exhausts, though he has some interesting points to make.

Canadian Journal of History