Sir Charles Tupper: Fighting Doctor to Father of Confederation

by Jock Murray

When Charles Tupper, a young Nova Scotian country doctor, discovered the power of his oratory at a local political meeting, his career and the future of Nova Scotia and Canada were changed forever. He was admired and reviled but he never surrendered to his opponents once he had started out on a reforming crusade. Between periods of great political activity he returned to the practice of medicine and to his loyal and devoted patients. He saw the need for a major university and medical school in the maritime provinces, for a national medical organization (he was elected the first President of the Canadian Medical Association), for maritime union and equality among the colonies within the Empire, for a railroad from sea to sea and for a union of all the regions with the confederation of Canada. History has not always given him his due.

155 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 1998

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An avid reader of biographies of Canadian Premiers, I started reading this book mostly, because I couldn't find another biography to buy. Of course I was aware that, with its 155 pp it won't be able to provide more than a glimpse into a very long and eventful life. Anyway, the book left me disappointed by being even more superficial than I thought it would be. In a sence it is of course a full-scale biography because it covers the whole life of Sir Charles Tupper. But his life (and times) are all to briefly touched upon. For me this book is, at best, a starting point when you want to start research on Tupper. For that however, a glance into the Bibliography is enough.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book that casts a spotlight on one of Canada's greatest but also most neglected statesmen. Tupper accomplished an almost unbelievable amount in his time, yet he is mostly remembered for the brief stint he had as PM, which occurred when he was in his 70s, after a lifetime of accomplishments.

Highly recommended!