Important People in Canadian History

First Prime Minister of Canada · 1815–1891

Father of Confederation who united the provinces into a single nation.

Father of Confederation · 1814–1873

Ensured Quebec's participation in Confederation and bilingual Canada.

7th Prime Minister · 1841–1919

First francophone PM; championed national unity and western settlement.

First Head of Responsible Government · 1807–1864

Pioneer of responsible government and democratic reform in Canada.

Reformer & Joint Premier · 1804–1858

Co-architect of responsible government in the Province of Canada.

Queen of the United Kingdom · 1819–1901

Authorized Canadian Confederation and selected Ottawa as the capital.

NWMP/Military Officer · 1849–1919

Symbol of Canadian law and order on the frontier.

Major General, War of 1812 · 1769–1812

Hero of the War of 1812 who rallied Canadians to defend their country.

War of 1812 Heroine · 1775–1868

Iconic Canadian heroine of the War of 1812.

Soldier & Poet · 1872–1918

Author of 'In Flanders Fields,' Canada's most famous war poem.

Athlete & Cancer Activist · 1958–1981

National hero whose Marathon of Hope raised millions for cancer research.

First Woman Elected to Parliament · 1890–1954

Broke the gender barrier in Canadian federal politics.

Suffragist & Author · 1873–1951

Key suffragist and member of the Famous Five.

First Female Magistrate · 1868–1933

Leader of the Famous Five; first female magistrate in the British Empire.

14th Prime Minister · 1897–1972

Nobel laureate who shaped modern Canada with the flag, medicare, and CPP.

15th Prime Minister · 1919–2000

Patriated the Constitution and created the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Inventor · 1847–1922

Invented the telephone while living in Canada.

Medical Researcher · 1891–1941

Co-discoverer of insulin — one of Canada's greatest contributions to medicine.

Mohawk Chief & Military Leader · 1742–1807

Loyalist Mohawk leader who shaped Indigenous-British relations in early Canada.

Shawnee Chief · 1768–1813

Indigenous hero of the War of 1812 who fought to protect First Nations lands.

Civil Rights Activist · 1914–1965

Canadian civil rights pioneer featured on the $10 bill.

Explorer · 1764–1820

First European to complete an overland crossing of Canada to the Pacific.

Explorer & Founder of New France · 1567–1635

Father of New France who founded Quebec City.

Governor General · 1792–1840

His report led to responsible government in Canada.