Herbert Samuel Holt
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2012) |
Sir Herbert Holt | |
---|---|
Montreal, Quebec, Dominion of Canada | |
Resting place | Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal |
Occupation | Civil engineer |
Known for | President of the Royal Bank of Canada |
Sir Herbert Samuel Holt (February 12, 1856 – September 29, 1941) was an
Montreal Gazette described him as "the richest man in Canada", but he was also one of the most reviled. Among his peers in the Golden Square Mile, "everyone respected his business ability, but nobody liked him personally".[1] Holt was one of the founders of the Town of Hampstead, Quebec.[2]
Early life
Holt was born at Ballycrystal, near
acres. In reference to Holt's own ruthless business reputation, it is of interest to note that in a dispute between his father and his uncle, it was said that, "the business affairs of William Holt's family would not stand up to close scrutiny".[3] Herbert Holt's elder brother, Thomas Grattan Holt, succeeded to Ballycrystal and Carberry, while Holt studied civil engineering in Dublin. In 1873, he emigrated to Canada, beginning work as an assistant engineer with the Toronto Water Works. In the early 1880s, he was employed to survey and construct portions of the Canadian Pacific Railway across the prairies and through the Rocky Mountains, under James Ross.[4]
Career
Herbert Holt became a pioneer developer of the
Canada Car and Foundry and many other Canadian companies. He was appointed chairman of the Federal Plan Commission in 1913. In 1915, he was knighted by King George V.[5] Herbert Samuel Holt died in 1941 and was interred in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. His comparatively modest home on Stanley Street in Montreal's Golden Square Mile was demolished after his death. Following its formation in 1979, Herbert Holt's significant contribution to the Canadian economy was recognized through his election to the Canadian Business Hall of Fame
.
Reputation
Holt was also one of the richest and most reviled Montrealers of his time. When his death was announced at a
French Canadians, Holt was the epitome of 'les maudits anglais' ('the damned English').[citation needed] Holt was remembered for being a harsh banker who enjoyed large profits while the common man suffered during the Great Depression
. In his own words, "If I am rich and powerful, while you are suffering the stranglehold of poverty and the humiliation of social assistance; if I was able, at the peak of the Depression, to make 150 per cent profits each year, it is foolishness on your part, and as for me, it is the fruit of a wise administration."
Family
In 1890, Holt married Jessie, the eldest daughter of Andrew Paton (1833-1892) of
. He also built a summer residence at 42 Summit Crescent in Westmount at the beginning of the 20th century. The Holts were the parents of three sons:- Major Second World War.[8]
- Major Andrew Paton Holt (1893-1964), named for his maternal grandfather, he was educated at the knighthood.[9]Major Andrew Holt died from a heart attack in London, England, on 12 September 1964.
- Major (William) Robert Grattan Holt (1900-1947), named for his paternal grandfather. He was educated at Douglas Hospital, the Montreal Association for the Blind, the Butters Foundation and numerous other charities.[12]
Holt, who was the father of three graduates of the Royal Military College of Canada and donated two hangars to the College in 1920 from the imperial war surplus stores in Canada. The hangars, which were free-freighted from Deseronto to Kingston, were erected as a covered skating rink.[13]
References
- ^ Remembrance of Grandeur - The Anglo-Protestant Elite of Montreal, by Margaret Westley (1990), page 202
- ^ History of the Town of Hampstead
- ^ Patterns of Migration - Patrick O'Sullivan, 1997
- ^ "The Winnipeg Tribune, 31 May 1913". www.lib.umanitoba.ca.
- ^ "No. 29094". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 March 1915. pp. 2363–2364.
- ^ Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, Volume 95, 1969
- ^ J. W. Mcconnell: Financier, Philanthropist, Patriot - William Fong (2008), page 615
- ^ "History of the Manor of Lackham" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- ^ The Order of Canada: Its Origins, History, And Development - Christopher McCreery (2005), page 26
- ^ Holt Home on Redpath Crescent turned over to Navy for use as Hospital - Montreal Gazette, Feb 24, 1944
- ^ Montreal philanthropist Pam Dunn dies at 83, Montreal Gazette, 2008
- ^ The Lusitania Resource
- ^ Preston Canada's RMC: A history of the Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston, 1969)