Summary: | This book contains short biographies of men who overcame poverty and poor living conditions as young boys to become quite successful in adulthood; all gave back to society either through their work, philanthropy, or both. Chapter 12 focuses on Donald Smith, who left Scotland as a young man and came to Canada to work or the Hudson's Bay Company. The Governor of the company, Sir George Simpson, took a great dislike to Smith, and sent him to the company's post in Esquimaux Bay, in Northern Labrador, as punishment for a perceived wrongdoing. Smith persevered through many hardships, creating a comfortable home and new roads in this inhospitable place. He became a success through his involvement with the Canadian Pacific Railway and Empress Steamships, and was eventually knighted, and then given the title Lord Strathcona.
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