Description

By the turn of the 20th century,
articles praising the work of
expatriate Islanders were becoming
common in Island newspapers. As
work and opportunity became harder
to find, Islanders moved away.
But whether they left reluctantly or
fled the Island as soon as possible,
many remained connected to their
native province. Sir William C.
Macdonald was no exception. Born
in Tracadie in 1831, he was one of
the wealthiest men in Canada at the
turn of the 20th century and arguably
its most generous philanthropist.
Though he spent most of his adult
life - and fortune - in Montreal, he
was tied to his birthplace by family
and business and, in later years, by
his role as patron to several educational
initiatives.