Matilda Ridout Edgar: Difference between revisions
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{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}} |
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{{Short description|Canadian historian (1844–1910)}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = Matilda Ridout Edgar |
| name = Matilda Ridout Edgar |
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| birth_name = Matilda Ridout |
| birth_name = Matilda Ridout |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1844|09|29|df=y}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1844|09|29|df=y}} |
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| birth_place = [[Toronto]] |
| birth_place = [[Toronto]], Canada West |
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1910|09|29|1844|09|29|df=y}} |
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1910|09|29|1844|09|29|df=y}} |
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| death_place = [[London]], England |
| death_place = [[London]], England |
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| known_for = ''Ten years of Upper Canada in peace and war, 1805–1815'' |
| known_for = ''Ten years of Upper Canada in peace and war, 1805–1815'' |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Matilda Ridout Edgar''' (29 September 1844 – 29 September 1910) was a Canadian historian and feminist. |
'''Matilda Ridout Edgar''' (29 September 1844 – 29 September 1910) was a [[Canadians|Canadian]] historian and feminist. |
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She was born Matilda Ridout, became Matilda Edgar by marriage, and became '''Lady Edgar''' in 1898 when her husband was knighted. |
She was born Matilda Ridout, became Matilda Edgar by marriage, and became '''Lady Edgar''' in 1898 when her husband was knighted. |
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The mother of nine children, she turned to historical research and writing when in her forties. |
The mother of nine children, she turned to historical research and writing when in her forties. |
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She published three books in her lifetime and was working on a fourth when she died. |
She published three books in her lifetime and was working on a fourth when she died. |
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She was active in a number of Toronto-based societies |
She was active in a number of Toronto-based societies and in her later years was a strong advocate of women's causes. |
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==Early years== |
==Early years== |
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Matilda Ridout was born in Toronto, Canada, on 29 September 1844, the fifth child and second daughter of Thomas Gibbs Ridout and Matilda Ann Bramley. |
Matilda Ridout was born in Toronto, [[Province of Canada]], on 29 September 1844, the fifth child and second daughter of Thomas Gibbs Ridout and Matilda Ann Bramley. |
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Her grandfather, [[Thomas Ridout]] of [[Sherborne]], Dorset, was surveyor general of [[Upper Canada]] from 1810 to 1829. |
Her grandfather, [[Thomas Ridout (politician)|Thomas Ridout]] of [[Sherborne]], Dorset, was surveyor general of [[Upper Canada]] from 1810 to 1829. |
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Her father was the first cashier of the Bank of Upper Canada from 1822 until he retired in 1861.{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=3}} |
Her father was the first cashier of the Bank of Upper Canada from 1822 until he retired in 1861.{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=3}} |
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Her father died a few months after retiring, and his mother was left with little money to support a family of nine. |
Her father died a few months after retiring, and his mother was left with little money to support a family of nine. |
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Marjorie was born in 1886.{{sfn|McLean|Stamp|1998|p=190}} |
Marjorie was born in 1886.{{sfn|McLean|Stamp|1998|p=190}} |
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Her husband ran on the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] platform and was elected to the House of Commons of Canada to represent [[Monck |
Her husband ran on the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] platform and was elected to the House of Commons of Canada to represent [[Monck (electoral district)|Monck]], Ontario on 12 October 1872, but lost his seat in the election of 22 January 1874. He ran again without success in several by-elections and elections until being elected on the Liberal platform for [[Ontario West]] on 22 August 1884.{{sfn|EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, Canada}} |
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During his time out of office he became the unofficial organizer for Prime Minister [[Alexander Mackenzie (politician)|Alexander Mackenzie]] in Ontario, and negotiated a new railway clause for the entry of British Columbia into the Confederation of Canada.{{sfn|Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament}} |
During his time out of office he became the unofficial organizer for Prime Minister [[Alexander Mackenzie (politician)|Alexander Mackenzie]] in Ontario, and negotiated a new railway clause for the entry of British Columbia into the Confederation of Canada.{{sfn|Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament}} |
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==Philanthropist== |
==Philanthropist== |
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⚫ | James David Edgar was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons on 19 August 1896, holding this position until his death.{{sfn|EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, Canada}} As his wife, Matilda Edgar was invited to become patron of enterprises such as the Toronto Infants' Home, the [[Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire]], and the [[Women's Art Association of Canada]] (WAAC){{sfn|Holmlund|Youngberg|2003|p=84}} In 1898 Matilda Edgar and [[Mary Dignam]], president of the WAAC, arranged for members of the House and Senate to subscribe $1,000 to purchase the [[Cabot Commemorative State Dinner Service]]. This was a hand-painted eight-course, 24-place dinner set representing Canadian subjects that had been made by WAAC members to commemorate the 400th anniversary of [[John Cabot]]'s discovery of Canada. The set was formally presented to [[Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair|Lady Aberdeen]] on the occasion of her husband finishing his assignment as Governor General of Canada.{{sfn|Elwood|1977|p=46}} |
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James David Edgar was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons on 19 August 1896, holding this position until his death.{{sfn|EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, Canada}} |
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As his wife, Matilda Edgar was invited to become patron of enterprises such as the Toronto Infants' Home, the [[Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire]], and the [[Women's Art Association of Canada]] (WAAC).{{sfn|Holmlund|Youngberg|2003|p=84}} |
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⚫ | In 1898 Matilda Edgar and [[Mary Dignam]], president of the WAAC, arranged for members of the House and Senate to subscribe $1,000 to purchase the [[Cabot Commemorative State Dinner Service]]. This was a hand-painted eight-course, 24-place dinner set representing Canadian subjects that had been made by WAAC members to commemorate the 400th anniversary of [[John Cabot]]'s discovery of Canada. The set was formally presented to [[Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair|Lady Aberdeen]] on the occasion of her husband finishing his assignment as Governor General of Canada.{{sfn|Elwood|1977|p=46}} |
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⚫ | Prime Minister Sir [[Wilfrid Laurier]] appointed Edgar to the Privy Council, and in 1898 he was knighted. He was already showing the symptoms of [[nephritis]], a kidney disease.{{sfn|Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament}} For part of 1898 Matilda, now Lady Edgar, was acting president of the [[National Council of Women of Canada]].{{sfn|Breault|2014}} When her husband died on 31 July 1899, Matilda Edgar was devastated, and gave up all public activities for the next year. She briefly turned to [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualism]], and thought she received a message from her husband telling her to continue to work and to give her support to the children.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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Prime Minister Sir [[Wilfrid Laurier]] appointed Edgar to the Privy Council, and in 1898 he was knighted. |
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He was already showing the symptoms of [[nephritis]], a kidney disease.{{sfn|Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament}} |
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For part of 1898 Matilda, now Lady Edgar, was acting president of the [[National Council of Women of Canada]].{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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⚫ | When her husband died on 31 July 1899 Matilda Edgar was devastated, and gave up all public activities for the next year. She briefly turned to [[spiritualism]], and thought she received a message from her husband telling her to continue to work and to give her support to the children.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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Matilda Edgar became active in public again in 1900. She threw herself into women's causes, proposing that women should have the right to receive higher education, support themselves, vote, and not lose control of their property when they married. She became a life member of the National Council of Women in 1906, and was elected president of the council that year. She was elected president again in 1909.{{sfn|Holmlund|Youngberg|2003|p=85}} |
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Matilda Edgar became active in public again in 1900. |
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She threw herself into women's causes, proposing that women should have the right to receive higher education, support themselves and vote. |
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Women should not lose control of their property when they married. |
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She became a life member of the National Council of Women in 1906, and was elected president of the council that year. |
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She was elected president again in 1909.{{sfn|Holmlund|Youngberg|2003|p=85}} |
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==Historian== |
==Historian== |
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[[File:Image of Lady Edgar from Transaction No 8.jpg|thumb|Image of Lady Edgar from the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Toronto ''Transaction No 8'' (1914)]] |
[[File:Image of Lady Edgar from Transaction No 8.jpg|thumb|Image of Lady Edgar from the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Toronto ''Transaction No 8'' (1914)]] |
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In 1890 Matilda Edgar published an edited collection of letters between her grandfather and his sons George and Thomas. |
In 1890 Matilda Edgar published an edited collection of letters between her grandfather and his sons George and Thomas. They described life in Toronto and London and the battles of the [[War of 1812]]. The work celebrated the achievements of Canada in an effort to build national pride, and was well received.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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They described life in Toronto and London and the battles of the [[War of 1812]]. |
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The work celebrated the achievements of Canada in an effort to build national pride, and was well received.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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A sketch of her life published by the Women's Canadian Historical Society in 1914 said, "The resultant volume ... revealed her sense of historical perspective, her easy mastery of detail, and her possession of a literary style that was at once limpid, nervous and strong".{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=3}} |
A sketch of her life published by the Women's Canadian Historical Society in 1914 said, "The resultant volume ... revealed her sense of historical perspective, her easy mastery of detail, and her possession of a literary style that was at once limpid, nervous and strong".{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=3}} |
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Matilda Edgar and [[Sarah Anne Curzon]] founded the Canadian Women's Historical Society in 1895.{{sfn|Bird|2007}} She replaced Curzon as president of the Society in 1897, when Curzon retired.{{sfn|Plummer|2010}} In 1904 she published a biography of Sir [[Isaac Brock]], another "whig" celebration of Canadian achievement.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} The ''Montreal Standard'' said of this book that "for accuracy and completeness of information…and for beauty of style, it has seldom been surpassed."{{sfn|Plummer|2010}} Her third book also drew on the Ridout family papers. It was a biography of [[Horatio Sharpe]], a colonial governor of Maryland.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} The book was published in 1912, after her death, and was highly praised.{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=4}} |
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Matilda Edgar and [[Sarah Anne Curzon]] founded the Canadian Women's Historical Society in 1895.{{sfn|Bird|2007}} |
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She replaced Curzon as president of the Society in 1897, when Curzon retired.{{sfn|Plummer|2010}} |
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In 1904 she published a biography of Sir [[Isaac Brock]], another "whig" celebration of Canadian achievement.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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The ''Montreal Standard'' said of this book that "for accuracy and completeness of information…and for beauty of style, it has seldom been surpassed."{{sfn|Plummer|2010}} |
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Her third book also drew on the Ridout family papers. It was a biography of [[Horatio Sharpe]], a colonial governor of Maryland.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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The book was published in 1912, after her death, and was highly praised.{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=4}} |
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Matilda Edgar began work on a biography of an ancestor of her husband, James Edgar, a Scottish Jacobite. |
Matilda Edgar began work on a biography of an ancestor of her husband, James Edgar, a Scottish Jacobite. For more than forty years he was private secretary to [[James Francis Edward Stuart]], the Chevalier St. George. |
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She was given permission to conduct research at [[Windsor Castle]], where his correspondence was preserved, and spent the winter of 1909–10 working in the library. The book was complete apart from the last three chapters when she went back to London to conduct some research in the [[British Museum]].{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=4}} She died of heart failure in London, England, on 29 September 1910. Her body was taken back to Toronto for burial.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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For more than forty years he was private secretary to [[James Francis Edward Stuart]], the Chevalier St. George. |
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She was given permission to conduct research at [[Windsor Castle]], where his correspondence was preserved, and spent the winter of 1909–10 working in the library. |
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The book was complete apart from the last three chapters when she went back to London to conduct some research in the [[British Museum]].{{sfn|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914|p=4}} |
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She died of heart failure in London, England, on 29 September 1910. Her body was taken back to Toronto for burial.{{sfn|Breault|2014}} |
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James Frederic Edgar served in the [[Second Riel Rebellion]], then completed his legal studies and was called to the bar of Ontario. |
James Frederic Edgar served in the [[North-West Rebellion|Second Riel Rebellion]], then completed his legal studies and was called to the bar of Ontario. He was eventually created a [[King's Counsel]].{{sfn|James Frederic Edgar, Archives Canada}} [[Pelham Edgar]] became an English professor at Victoria College in the [[University of Toronto]]. Maud co-founded [[Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School]] in Montreal, and for many years was headmistress of this private school for girls.{{sfn|McLean|Stamp|1998|p=9}} |
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He was eventually created a [[King's Counsel]].{{sfn|James Frederic Edgar, Archives Canada}} |
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[[Pelham Edgar]] became an English professor at Victoria College in the [[University of Toronto]]. |
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Maud co-founded [[Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School]] in Montreal, and for many years was headmistress of this private school for girls.{{sfn|McLean|Stamp|1998|p=9}} |
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Marjorie married Keith Hicks. Their daughter Maud McLean co-authored a biography of Matilda and her husband, published in 1988.{{sfn|McLean|Stamp|1998|p=9}} |
Marjorie married Keith Hicks. Their daughter Maud McLean co-authored a biography of Matilda and her husband, published in 1988.{{sfn|McLean|Stamp|1998|p=9}} |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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*{{cite book|year=1890|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar |publisher=William Briggs|title=Ten years of Upper Canada in peace and war, 1805–1815 |
*{{cite book|year=1890|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar |publisher=William Briggs|title=Ten years of Upper Canada in peace and war, 1805–1815 |
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|url=https:// |
|url=https://archive.org/details/cihm_02885|access-date=2014-07-09 |location=Toronto}} |
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*{{cite journal|year=1899|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar |title=Sketch of Mrs. |
*{{cite journal|year=1899|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar |title=Sketch of Mrs. Curzon's life and work|publisher=Women's Canadian Historical Society of Toronto |
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|journal=Transactions|volume=2|pages=3–4}} |
|journal=Transactions|volume=2|pages=3–4}} |
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*{{cite book|year=1904|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar |title=General Brock|location=Toronto|publisher=George Nathaniel Morang|series=Makers of Canada|others=(biography) |
*{{cite book|year=1904|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar |title=General Brock|url=https://archive.org/details/cihm_77422|location=Toronto|publisher=George Nathaniel Morang|series=Makers of Canada|others=(biography) |
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|editor1= |
|editor1=Duncan Campbell Scott |
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|editor-link=Duncan Campbell Scott |
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|editor2=Oscar Pelham Edgar}} |
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*{{cite book|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar|title=A colonial governor in Maryland; Horatio Sharpe and his times, 1753–1773 |
*{{cite book|author=Matilda Ridout Edgar|title=A colonial governor in Maryland; Horatio Sharpe and his times, 1753–1773 |
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|others=(published posthumously) |location=London |year=1912}} |
|url=https://archive.org/details/colonialgovernor00edga|others=(published posthumously) |location=London |year=1912}} |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist |colwidth=30em}} |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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*{{cite book |
*{{cite book|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sarah-anne-curzon |
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|last=Bird|first=Kim|title=The Canadian Encyclopedia|publisher=Historica Canada|year=2007|chapter=Sarah Anne Curzon| |
|last=Bird|first=Kim|title=The Canadian Encyclopedia|publisher=Historica Canada|year=2007|chapter=Sarah Anne Curzon|access-date=2014-07-09}} |
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*{{cite book |
*{{cite book|url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ridout_matilda_13E.html |
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|last=Breault|first=Erin |chapter=RIDOUT, MATILDA|title=Dictionary of Canadian Biography|volume=13 |
|last=Breault|first=Erin |chapter=RIDOUT, MATILDA|title=Dictionary of Canadian Biography|volume=13 |
||
|publisher=University of Toronto/Université Laval |year=2014| |
|publisher=University of Toronto/Université Laval |year=2014|access-date=2014-07-09}} |
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*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, Canada}} |
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, Canada}} |
||
|title=EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, P.C., Q.C.|publisher=[[Parliament of Canada]] |
|title=EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, P.C., Q.C.|publisher=[[Parliament of Canada]] |
||
|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=af336842-eee5-4285-bfb9-7917bf245ea6&Language=E&Section=ALL | |
|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=af336842-eee5-4285-bfb9-7917bf245ea6&Language=E&Section=ALL |access-date=2014-07-09}} |
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*{{cite journal |
*{{cite journal|url=http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/cbu/Bulletin3.pdf |
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|last=Elwood|first=Marie|title=The State Dinner Service of Canada, 1898| |
|last=Elwood|first=Marie|title=The State Dinner Service of Canada, 1898|access-date=2014-07-14|publisher=National Museum of Man |
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|journal=Material History Bulletin |
|journal=Material History Bulletin |location=Ottawa|date=Spring 1977}} |
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⚫ | |||
*{{cite book|ref=harv |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|year=2003|publisher=Coteau Books|isbn=978-1-55050-204-6}} |
|year=2003|publisher=Coteau Books|isbn=978-1-55050-204-6}} |
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*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament}}|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/Speakers/Hoc/sp-07Edgar-e.htm |
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament}}|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/Speakers/Hoc/sp-07Edgar-e.htm |
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|title=Hon. Sir James David Edgar |publisher=Parliament of Canada| |
|title=Hon. Sir James David Edgar |publisher=Parliament of Canada|access-date=2014-07-09}} |
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*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|James Frederick Edgar, Ancestry.com}}|url=http://records.ancestry.com/james_frederick_edgar_records.ashx?pid=4362392 |
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|James Frederick Edgar, Ancestry.com}}|url=http://records.ancestry.com/james_frederick_edgar_records.ashx?pid=4362392 |
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|title=James Frederick Edgar|work=Ancestry.com| |
|title=James Frederick Edgar|work=Ancestry.com|access-date=2014-07-09}} |
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*{{cite web |
*{{cite web |
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|ref = {{harvid|James Frederic Edgar, Archives Canada}} |
|ref = {{harvid|James Frederic Edgar, Archives Canada}} |
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|publisher = Archives Canada |
|publisher = Archives Canada |
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|url = http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&coll=0&itm=258635&rt=1&bill=1 |
|url = http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&coll=0&itm=258635&rt=1&bill=1 |
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| |
|access-date = 2014-07-09 |
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| |
|url-status = dead |
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| |
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140715105758/http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&coll=0&itm=258635&rt=1&bill=1 |
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| |
|archive-date = 2014-07-15 |
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|df = |
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}} |
}} |
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⚫ | |||
*{{cite book|ref=harv |
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⚫ | |||
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RjwE9PV2nwC&pg=PA8 |
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RjwE9PV2nwC&pg=PA8 |
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|date=1998-08-15|publisher=Dundurn|isbn=978-1-55488-235-9}} |
|date=1998-08-15|publisher=Dundurn|isbn=978-1-55488-235-9}} |
||
*{{cite web |
*{{cite web|url=http://torontoist.com/2010/09/historicist_amateur_historians_and_housewives/ |
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|last=Plummer|first=Kevin|work=Torontoist|date=25 September 2010 |title=Historicist: "Amateur Historians" and "Housewives"| |
|last=Plummer|first=Kevin|work=Torontoist|date=25 September 2010 |title=Historicist: "Amateur Historians" and "Housewives"|access-date=2014-07-09}} |
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*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914}}|url=https://archive.org/stream/transactionofwom00wome#page/n9/mode/2up |
*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914}}|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/transactionofwom00wome#page/n9/mode/2up |
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|chapter=Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life|title=Transaction No. 8|publisher=Women's Canadian Historical Society|year=1914}} |
|chapter=Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life|title=Transaction No. 8|publisher=Women's Canadian Historical Society|year=1914}} |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [ |
* [https://aims.archives.gov.on.ca/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/DESCRIPTION_WEB/WEB_DESC_DET?SESSIONSEARCH&exp=sisn%20600 J. D. Edgar family fonds], Archives of Ontario |
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<br />{{Authority control}} |
<br />{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:1844 births]] |
[[Category:1844 births]] |
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[[Category:1910 deaths]] |
[[Category:1910 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Canadian historians]] |
[[Category:Canadian women historians]] |
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[[Category:Canadian feminists]] |
[[Category:Canadian feminists]] |
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[[Category:People from Old Toronto]] |
[[Category:People from Old Toronto]] |
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[[Category:20th-century Canadian historians]] |
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[[Category:19th-century Canadian historians]] |
Latest revision as of 02:10, 26 March 2024
Matilda Ridout Edgar | |
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Born | Matilda Ridout 29 September 1844 Toronto, Canada West |
Died | 29 September 1910 London, England | (aged 66)
Nationality | Canadian, British |
Occupation(s) | Historian and feminist |
Known for | Ten years of Upper Canada in peace and war, 1805–1815 |
Matilda Ridout Edgar (29 September 1844 – 29 September 1910) was a Canadian historian and feminist. She was born Matilda Ridout, became Matilda Edgar by marriage, and became Lady Edgar in 1898 when her husband was knighted. The mother of nine children, she turned to historical research and writing when in her forties. She published three books in her lifetime and was working on a fourth when she died. She was active in a number of Toronto-based societies and in her later years was a strong advocate of women's causes.
Early years
[edit]Matilda Ridout was born in Toronto, Province of Canada, on 29 September 1844, the fifth child and second daughter of Thomas Gibbs Ridout and Matilda Ann Bramley. Her grandfather, Thomas Ridout of Sherborne, Dorset, was surveyor general of Upper Canada from 1810 to 1829. Her father was the first cashier of the Bank of Upper Canada from 1822 until he retired in 1861.[1] Her father died a few months after retiring, and his mother was left with little money to support a family of nine. On 5 September 1865 Matilda married James David Edgar, a barrister, lawyer and author, becoming Matilda Edgar. The marriage of "Tillie" (Matilda) and James was happy and loving, as is shown by the letters he wrote to her daily when politics took him to Ottawa.[2]
She enjoyed raising their three daughters and six sons, although they left her with little free time.[3] Eight of the children lived into adulthood.[4] Their eldest son was James Frederic Edgar, born on 6 July 1866.[4] Their second surviving son was Pelham Edgar and their oldest daughter was Maud.[4] They were followed by William Wilkie, born on 26 October 1874, Beatrice on 25 August 1877, David Keithock on 29 November 1879 and Herbert Wedderlie on 20 June 1883.[5] Marjorie was born in 1886.[6]
Her husband ran on the Liberal platform and was elected to the House of Commons of Canada to represent Monck, Ontario on 12 October 1872, but lost his seat in the election of 22 January 1874. He ran again without success in several by-elections and elections until being elected on the Liberal platform for Ontario West on 22 August 1884.[7] During his time out of office he became the unofficial organizer for Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie in Ontario, and negotiated a new railway clause for the entry of British Columbia into the Confederation of Canada.[8]
Philanthropist
[edit]James David Edgar was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons on 19 August 1896, holding this position until his death.[7] As his wife, Matilda Edgar was invited to become patron of enterprises such as the Toronto Infants' Home, the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, and the Women's Art Association of Canada (WAAC)[9] In 1898 Matilda Edgar and Mary Dignam, president of the WAAC, arranged for members of the House and Senate to subscribe $1,000 to purchase the Cabot Commemorative State Dinner Service. This was a hand-painted eight-course, 24-place dinner set representing Canadian subjects that had been made by WAAC members to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of Canada. The set was formally presented to Lady Aberdeen on the occasion of her husband finishing his assignment as Governor General of Canada.[10]
Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier appointed Edgar to the Privy Council, and in 1898 he was knighted. He was already showing the symptoms of nephritis, a kidney disease.[8] For part of 1898 Matilda, now Lady Edgar, was acting president of the National Council of Women of Canada.[3] When her husband died on 31 July 1899, Matilda Edgar was devastated, and gave up all public activities for the next year. She briefly turned to spiritualism, and thought she received a message from her husband telling her to continue to work and to give her support to the children.[3]
Matilda Edgar became active in public again in 1900. She threw herself into women's causes, proposing that women should have the right to receive higher education, support themselves, vote, and not lose control of their property when they married. She became a life member of the National Council of Women in 1906, and was elected president of the council that year. She was elected president again in 1909.[11]
Historian
[edit]In 1890 Matilda Edgar published an edited collection of letters between her grandfather and his sons George and Thomas. They described life in Toronto and London and the battles of the War of 1812. The work celebrated the achievements of Canada in an effort to build national pride, and was well received.[3] A sketch of her life published by the Women's Canadian Historical Society in 1914 said, "The resultant volume ... revealed her sense of historical perspective, her easy mastery of detail, and her possession of a literary style that was at once limpid, nervous and strong".[1]
Matilda Edgar and Sarah Anne Curzon founded the Canadian Women's Historical Society in 1895.[12] She replaced Curzon as president of the Society in 1897, when Curzon retired.[13] In 1904 she published a biography of Sir Isaac Brock, another "whig" celebration of Canadian achievement.[3] The Montreal Standard said of this book that "for accuracy and completeness of information…and for beauty of style, it has seldom been surpassed."[13] Her third book also drew on the Ridout family papers. It was a biography of Horatio Sharpe, a colonial governor of Maryland.[3] The book was published in 1912, after her death, and was highly praised.[14]
Matilda Edgar began work on a biography of an ancestor of her husband, James Edgar, a Scottish Jacobite. For more than forty years he was private secretary to James Francis Edward Stuart, the Chevalier St. George. She was given permission to conduct research at Windsor Castle, where his correspondence was preserved, and spent the winter of 1909–10 working in the library. The book was complete apart from the last three chapters when she went back to London to conduct some research in the British Museum.[14] She died of heart failure in London, England, on 29 September 1910. Her body was taken back to Toronto for burial.[3]
James Frederic Edgar served in the Second Riel Rebellion, then completed his legal studies and was called to the bar of Ontario. He was eventually created a King's Counsel.[15] Pelham Edgar became an English professor at Victoria College in the University of Toronto. Maud co-founded Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School in Montreal, and for many years was headmistress of this private school for girls.[4] Marjorie married Keith Hicks. Their daughter Maud McLean co-authored a biography of Matilda and her husband, published in 1988.[4]
Bibliography
[edit]Matilda Edgar's published works were:
- Matilda Ridout Edgar (1890). Ten years of Upper Canada in peace and war, 1805–1815. Toronto: William Briggs. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- Matilda Ridout Edgar (1899). "Sketch of Mrs. Curzon's life and work". Transactions. 2. Women's Canadian Historical Society of Toronto: 3–4.
- Matilda Ridout Edgar (1904). Duncan Campbell Scott; Oscar Pelham Edgar (eds.). General Brock. Makers of Canada. (biography). Toronto: George Nathaniel Morang.
- Matilda Ridout Edgar (1912). A colonial governor in Maryland; Horatio Sharpe and his times, 1753–1773. (published posthumously). London.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914, p. 3.
- ^ McLean & Stamp 1998, p. 8.
- ^ a b c d e f g Breault 2014.
- ^ a b c d e McLean & Stamp 1998, p. 9.
- ^ McLean & Stamp 1998, p. 130.
- ^ McLean & Stamp 1998, p. 190.
- ^ a b EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, Canada.
- ^ a b Hon. Sir James David Edgar, Parliament.
- ^ Holmlund & Youngberg 2003, p. 84.
- ^ Elwood 1977, p. 46.
- ^ Holmlund & Youngberg 2003, p. 85.
- ^ Bird 2007.
- ^ a b Plummer 2010.
- ^ a b Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life, Transaction 1914, p. 4.
- ^ James Frederic Edgar, Archives Canada.
Sources
[edit]- Bird, Kim (2007). "Sarah Anne Curzon". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- Breault, Erin (2014). "RIDOUT, MATILDA". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 13. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- "EDGAR, The Hon. Sir James David, P.C., Q.C." Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- Elwood, Marie (Spring 1977). "The State Dinner Service of Canada, 1898" (PDF). Material History Bulletin. Ottawa: National Museum of Man. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- Holmlund, Mona; Youngberg, Gail (2003). "Matilda Ridout Edgar, Lady Edgar". Inspiring Women: A Celebration of Herstory. Coteau Books. ISBN 978-1-55050-204-6. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
- "Hon. Sir James David Edgar". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- "James Frederick Edgar". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- "James Frederic Edgar". Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- McLean, Maud J.; Stamp, Robert (15 August 1998). My Dearest Wife: The Private and Public Lives of James David Edgar and Matilda Ridout Edgar. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55488-235-9.
- Plummer, Kevin (25 September 2010). "Historicist: "Amateur Historians" and "Housewives"". Torontoist. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- "Sketch of Lady Edgar's Life". Transaction No. 8. Women's Canadian Historical Society. 1914.
External links
[edit]- J. D. Edgar family fonds, Archives of Ontario