Article

Col Albert Gooderham

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited December 15, 2013

Gooderham, Col Albert (Edward). Financier, patron, soldier, b Toronto 2 Jun 1861, d there 25 Apr 1935; honorary LL D (Toronto) 1924, appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) 1935 (but not invested).

Gooderham, Col Albert

Gooderham, Col Albert (Edward). Financier, patron, soldier, b Toronto 2 Jun 1861, d there 25 Apr 1935; honorary LL D (Toronto) 1924, appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) 1935 (but not invested). Gooderham was 'a financier by inheritance and a philanthropist by instinct' (Standard Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Toronto 1938). Music and education were two of the many areas of social welfare and culture to which he and his wife devoted their active interest and financial support. He was the founder of the Canadian Academy of Music, and was its president 1911-24. At the time of the academy's merger with the TCM he became chairman of the Board of Governors, a position he held until his death. He was president 1923-31 and honorary president 1932-5 of the New SO (later TSO), and his financial support and personal encouragement ensured the survival of that orchestra during its early years. He was a warden and director of musical activities at St James' Cathedral.