Browse "Businessmen"

Imagine what it must have been like for Garth Drabinsky, a person who is, above all else, accustomed to getting his own way.

Garth Drabinsky should be used to it by now. He makes a decision, or launches a new venture, or sees a company under his command overhauled in one of those headline-grabbing power plays that have become as much a Drabinsky trademark as mega-musicals like Show Boat and Ragtime.

Theatre impresario Garth Drabinsky hailed the April, 1998 arrival of a team of executives led by superagent Michael Ovitz as a blessing. Sure, it meant that Drabinsky and his longtime partner Myron Gottlieb would have to relinquish control of Livent Inc., their Toronto-based live theatre company.

Dufferin "Duff" Roblin, businessman, politician, premier of Manitoba 1958-67 (b at Winnipeg 17 June 1917; d there 30 May 2010).

Dwight Ball, pharmacist, businessman, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador 2015 to present, leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador (born 21 December 1957 in Deer Lake, NL). Ball became premier at a time of economic crisis. After several years of prosperity, slumping oil revenues required his government to bring in unpopular austerity measures to fight a burgeoning provincial debt. Ball retained the premiership in 2019, when his Liberal Party won a minority government.

Edward Ellice, fur trader, merchant, politician (b at London, Eng 23 or 27 Sept 1783; d near Glengarry, Scot 17 Sept 1863).

Edward Gawler Prior, mining engineer, businessman, premier of BC 1902-03 (b at Dallaghgill, Eng 21 May 1853; d at Victoria 12 Dec 1920). In 1873 Prior immigrated to Vancouver Island, BC, and worked for a mining company in Nanaimo.

Edward Plunkett Taylor, "E.P.," businessman (b at Ottawa 29 Jan 1901; d at Lyford Cay, Bahamas 14 May 1989). Educated at McGill, Taylor joined the stockbroking firm MCLEOD, YOUNG, WEIR AND CO in Ottawa in 1923, moving to Toronto in 1928 and becoming a director in 1929.

Edward Rogers Wood, financier (b at Peterborough, Canada W 14 May 1866; d at Toronto 16 June 1941). Originally a telegraph operator, Wood joined the Central Canada Loan and Savings Company in 1884. He later became managing director and vice-president, and was elected president in 1914.

Eldon Leslie Brown, mining engineer, executive (b at Toronto 19 Aug 1900; d at Brechin, Ont 20 Feb 1998). After working as an engineer for the Mond Nickel Co, Brown joined Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd in 1927, becoming president and managing director in 1946.

Enos Collins, merchant, privateer, banker (b at Liverpool, NS 5 Sept 1774; d at Halifax 18 Nov 1871). Enos went to sea as a cabin boy on one of his father's fishing vessels, becoming master of a trading ship before he was 19.

Erastus Wiman, journalist, businessman (b at Churchville, UC 21 Apr 1834; d on Staten I, NY 9 Feb 1904).

Eric Lafferty Harvie, oilman, philanthropist (b at Orillia, Ont 2 Apr 1892; d at Calgary 11 Jan 1975). Harvie was called to the Alberta Bar in 1915. He served overseas in WWI, was wounded in France and achieved the rank of captain.

Eric Herbert Molson, industrial capitalist (b at Montréal 16 Sept 1937). Molson was educated at Bishop's, Princeton and McGill.

Eric William Kierans, OC, economist, politician, businessman (born 2 February 1914 in Montreal, Quebec; died 10 May 2004 in Montreal). Educated at Loyola College and McGill University, Kierans was director of the School of Commerce at McGill 1953–60, president of the Montreal Stock Exchange 1960–63 and then minister of communications and postmaster general of Canada 1968–71. He served in two governments — Jean Lesage's  Quiet Revolution (in which he served as minister of revenue 1963–65 and as minister of health 1965–66) and Pierre Trudeau's first Cabinet.

Erskine Henry Bronson, manufacturer, politician (b at Bolton, NY 12 Sept 1844; d at Ottawa 19 Oct 1920). His father, Henry Franklin BRONSON, moved the family to Bytown [Ottawa] in 1853 during an influx of Americans attracted by cheap waterpower at the Chaudière Falls.

Ezra Butler Eddy, manufacturer (b near Bristol, Vt 22 Aug 1827; d at Hull, Qué 12 Feb 1906).

Francis Hector Clergue, financier and industrial promoter (b at Brewer, Maine 28 May 1856; d at Montréal 19 Sept 1939). Born of Huguenot parents, Clergue studied law at Maine State College.

Francis Murray Patrick McMahon, industrialist (b at Moyie, BC 2 Oct 1902; d at Hamilton, Bermuda 20 May 1986). He began as a driller working for mining companies in BC, and in 1927 established a small business as a diamond-drilling contractor.

Frank Albert Sherman, industrialist (b at Crown Point, NY 19 May 1887; d at Surfside, Fla 27 Jan 1967).