Article

Thomas George Shaughnessy, 1st Baron Shaughnessy

Published Online February 24, 2008

Last Edited July 24, 2015

Thomas George Shaughnessy, first Baron Shaughnessy, railway executive (b at Milwaukee, Wis 6 Oct 1853; d at Montréal 10 Dec 1923). In 1869 Shaughnessy joined the Milwaukee Road as a clerk. On becoming manager in 1880, W.C.

Shaughnessy, Thomas George, first Baron Shaughnessy

Thomas George Shaughnessy, first Baron Shaughnessy, railway executive (b at Milwaukee, Wis 6 Oct 1853; d at Montréal 10 Dec 1923). In 1869 Shaughnessy joined the Milwaukee Road as a clerk. On becoming manager in 1880, W.C. VAN HORNE promoted Shaughnessy storekeeper, and in 1882 persuaded him to join the CANADIAN PACIFIC RY as general purchasing agent in Montréal. Shaughnessy helped save the CPR from bankruptcy in 1884-85 by placating creditors, became vice-president in 1891 and president in 1899. Under Shaughnessy's leadership, the CPR became a large and profitable transportation corporation. From 1899 to 1913 its trackage in Canada increased from 11 200 km to 18 000 km and 70% of the Prairie main line was double-tracked. Shaughnessy launched the Atlantic steamship service and made the CPR a major world shipowner. Under his direction, Consolidated Mining and Smelting (now Cominco) became an important producer of lead and zinc. He retired as president in 1918 but remained chairman until his death.