Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 13

Sir Sam Hughes (1853-1921)

by Carol Whitfield

Abstract

Samuel Hughes (1853-1921), as MP for Lindsay and later for Victoria and Haliburton from 1892 to 1921, epitomized the strong pro-imperialist sentiment which characterized central Ontario in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As Borden's Minister of Militia from 1911 to 1916, Hughes play ed a major role in the creation of the modern Canadian army.àà His handling of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war at once contributed to the growth of Canadian autonomy and exacerbated Anglo-French divisions within Canada. His often abrasive personality led to frequent clashes with colleagues, superiors and subordinates, and Hughes was forced to resign from the government in 1916.

Submitted for publication 1969 by Carol Whitfield, National Historic Parks and Sites Branch