Article

Cyrus Albert Birge

Published Online January 24, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Cyrus Albert Birge, industrialist (b near Oakville, Ont 7 Nov 1847; d at Hamilton, Ont 14 Dec 1929). After early careers as a merchant and an accountant for the Great Western Raiway, Birge became manager of the American-owned Canada Screw Co at Dundas, Ontario in 1882.

Birge, Cyrus Albert

Cyrus Albert Birge, industrialist (b near Oakville, Ont 7 Nov 1847; d at Hamilton, Ont 14 Dec 1929). After early careers as a merchant and an accountant for the Great Western Raiway, Birge became manager of the American-owned Canada Screw Co at Dundas, Ontario in 1882. Five years later he moved the plant to Hamilton and in 1898 bought out American interests. Meanwhile he allied with other Hamilton businessmen to promote local enterprise.

When Canada Screw was absorbed in the new Steel Co of Canada in 1910, he became that corporation's VP. By this point Birge held directorships in insurance and trust companies and eventually in the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He was a leader in the Canadian Manufacturers' Association and in the Methodist Church, whose Victoria College he supported generously.