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Biography & Autobiography Historical

William C. Van Horne

Railway Titan

by (author) Valerie Knowles

Publisher
Dundurn Press
Initial publish date
May 2010
Category
Historical, History, Business
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781770705234
    Publish Date
    May 2010
    List Price
    $7.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781554887026
    Publish Date
    May 2010
    List Price
    $19.99

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Description

William C. Van Horne was one of North America’s most accomplished men. Born in Illinois in 1843, Van Horne started working in the railway business at a young age. In 1881 he was lured north to Canada to become general manager of the fledgling Canadian Pacific Ralway. The railroading general pushed through construction of the CPR’s transcontinental line and then went on to become the company’s president. During his time with the CPR, Van Horne developed a telegraph service, launched the Empress line of Pacific steamships in 1891, and founded CP Hotels. He capped his career by opening up Cuba’s interior with a railway.

A man of prodigious energy and many talents, he also became Canada’s foremost art collector and one of the country’s leading financiers. For all of his amazing accomplishments, Van Horne was knighted in 1894. When he died church bells throughout the length and breadth of Cuba tolled to mark his passing, and when his funeral train made its way across Canada, all traffic on the CPR system was suspended for five minutes.

About the author

Valerie Knowles is an Ottawa writer who has taught history and worked as an archivist. In addition to writing for newspapers, magazines, and federal government departments, she has published several non-fiction works, including Strangers at Our Gates: Canadian Immigration and Immigration Policy, 1540-1997. This is her third book for Dundurn Press.

Valerie Knowles' profile page

Editorial Reviews

"Anyone who enjoys a history would do well to pick it up, because its a solid book."

Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal

"Knowles develops a rounded view of her subject."

Canadian Materials Magazine

Valerie Knowles competent survey of the life and times of William Van Horne is the latest volume in the highly accessible Quest series of biographies of significant Canadians.

Canadas History, online