Biography and Autobiography

Biographies are generally written about the famous. Autobiographies and memoirs are written both by the well-known and less notable individuals. All provide a wealth of personal information, but must be used with care as they almost always seek to place the person being portrayed in a favourable light or promote a particular view.

What follows here are a few examples of biographies and autobiographies covering several periods within the overall structure of these pathfinders. The reader's attention is particularly drawn to The Canadian encyclopedia and the Dictionary of Canadian biography. The former gives short, useful biographical sketches of well-known Canadian figures. The latter is made up of biographical essays, well researched and with references to unpublished primary sources and published works, which seek to define the individual's place in society and Canadian history as a whole. The subjects written about include both well-known individuals and those of more modest fame. This is a most useful and authoritative tool for research on Canadian figures.

* Allard, Jean V.  - The memoirs of General Jean V. Allard. - Written in cooperation with Serge Bernier. - Vancouver: Univ. of British Columbia Press, 1988. - 366 p. - Also published in French under the title: Mémoires du général Jean V. Allard

Bercuson, David J. - True patriot: the life of Brooke Claxton, 1899-1960. - Toronto: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1993. - 363 p.

* The Canadian encyclopedia: year 2000 edition. - [3rd print ed.] - Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1999. - 2 573 p.

• Also available in CD-ROM and computer file formats. Only the CD-ROM version is bilingual at present.

* Dictionary of Canadian biography. - Toronto: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1967- . - Also published in French under the title: Dictionnaire biographique du Canada

• 14 volumes published to 1999, organized by death date of each subject.

Haycock, Ronald G. - Sam Hughes: the public career of a controversial Canadian, 1885-1916. - [S.l.].: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press in collaboration with Canadian War Museum, 1986. - 355 p. - (Canadian War Museum historical publication no. 21)

Pope, Maurice A.  - Soldiers and politicians: the memoirs of Lt.-Gen. Maurice A. Pope, C.B., M.C. - Toronto: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1962. - 462 p.

Roy, R.H.  - For most conspicuous bravery: a biography of Major-General George R. Pearkes, V.C., through two World Wars. - Vancouver: Univ. of British Columbia Press, 1977. - 388 p.

Swettenham, John. - McNaughton. - Toronto: Ryerson Press, 1968-1969. - 3 vol.

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