Arthur Currie's Multifaceted Contributions to Canadian History

This essay explores the multifaceted contributions of Sir Arthur Currie to Canadian history. Born in Adelaide, he served as an army officer, militia officer, real-estate developer, insurance salesman, teacher, and university administrator. His most notable contributions were in the political sphere as a commander in the Canadian Corps during the First World War, where he earned a reputation as a capable general. He also significantly impacted education as the principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University, establishing new departments and leading fundraising campaigns. Furthermore, Currie contributed to the Canadian economy through his early business ventures and his later advocacy for veterans' pensions. Despite facing post-war criticism, Currie's leadership and contributions have cemented his place as a significant figure in Canadian history.

Running Head: ARTHUR CURRIE 1
Canadian History: Arthur Curry
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Canadian History: Arthur Curry
Introduction
Arthur Currie is one major contributor of the Canadian history. Currie was a jack of all
trades. He was an army officer, militia officer, real-estate developer, insurance salesman, teacher,
and university administrator. He was born on the December 5th of 1875 in Adelaide (The
Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d.). He was educated in the public schools of Strathroy. Later in 1894,
Currie migrated to British Columbia and taught in the public schools of Victoria and Sydney for
about 5 years (Government of Canada, n.d.). Afterward, he developed his career as a private
businessman in the capacity of an insurance salesman and real estate developer. Notably, in this
business he practiced with little success and became heavily indebted due to failed real estate
deals (Government of Canada, n.d.). Afterwards, he joined the army and served as a militia man
and General of the Canadian corps. After leaving and retiring from the Military, Sir Arthur
Currie moved to the education sector and became a principal and vice chancellor of McGill
University (Government of Canada, n.d.). Therefore, throughout his life, Sir Arthur Currie made
significant contributions to the political, economic and cultural history of Canada.
Political
War, Revolts and Revolution
It is important to note that Arthur Currie made significant contributions to the political
history of Canada, especially with regards to the War, Revolts and Revolution aspect of history.
Noteworthy, during his lifetime, Currie was an active member of the Canadian militia. Today, he
is known for his contributions to the Canadian corps. He built his reputation as one of the most
capable generals (Dictionary of Canadian Biography, n.d.). During First World War, Sir Arthur

William Curry was the first commander of the Canadian Corps. In 1914, he was appointed
commander of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade (Government of Canada, n.d.). During this
assignment proved himself as a capable training facilitator and organizer. He also led the Corps
to several victorious journeys despite of lacking popularity. He had gained prominence during
the Hundred-day campaign (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d.). Therefore his life story spans
significantly around the role he had played in the corps. Hence this aspect of his character is
important to study in History. Some of his advantages and skills were the importance that he
gave in the process of preparation and training, and his acknowledgment of artillery’s
significance to trench warfare (Dictionary of Canadian Biography, n.d.). During the end of his
military career he served the position of inspector general of the militia forces in Canada.
It is worth noting that in April 1915, his team played a critical role in maintaining the
Allied position (Government of Canada, n.d.). As a result, he was appointed to lead the first
Canadian division in September of the same year and led it successfully in the next two years
(Government of Canada, n.d.). Although he lacked charisma as a leader, his acknowledgement of
the magnitude of pre-battle preparation was helpful in the battle field (The Canadian
Encyclopedia, n.d.). He learned tactfully the techniques of recent combats and sought to apply
them in his army during his leadership.
In 1917, he was appointed as the head of the Canadian Corps (The Canadian
Encyclopedia, n.d.). Notably, he was the only Canadian soldier to hold this post. He served and
proved to be an exceptional commander. His wit and eagerness to demand for more fire arms in
anticipation of major assaults led to the saving of many lives and improved the prospects of
victory. Also, under his guidance, Canada cemented its status of possessing the best assault

formation with an unbroken string for major victories between 1917 and 1918 (Government of
Canada, n.d.). As a result, he is regarded as one of the greatest generals of the war.
Despite his great contributions and sterling wartime reputation, his fame staggered during
the post war period. Mainly, this is attributed to the fact that he was vocal in his disapproval of
the selection of politically favored officers. Consequently, he developed enemies and was
accused of having sacrificed people’s lives in unsuccessful battles during the Armistice
(Canadian War Museum, n.d.). Although this was untrue, the accusation dogged him for a long
time. Currie fought back and won a court case against libel and won. Unfortunately, the general
died at the age of 57, leaving behind his wife and children as destitute. Luckily, she was awarded
$50,000 by the Canadian government. Notably, this is the amount that Currie had hoped to
secure in the lawsuit regarding libel.
It is critical to point out the fact that throughout his service, Sir Currie believed that
Canada was destined to take on a more prominent position in the British Empire. In his opinion,
the war would bring the birth of a new and more just society in Canada (Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d.). According to him, the crusading spirit of the war period would be transmitted
home to the country by the soldiers of the war and attack the political, social and economic
enemies of the nation with as much enthusiasm and vigor as they had during the war with
Germany. Unfortunately, after the war, a new society did not rise up as imagined by the General
(Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). Even so, for Currie, it was not the goal or ideas that were faulty
and were to blame, but the politicians who had failed to live up to the sacrifice of the Canadian
soldiers. By the time he was dying, the failure of the society to turn a new leaf socially,
politically and economically made Currie pessimistic, and was no longer the optimistic corps
commander with a vision of a better Canada.

Regardless, Currie made significant contributions to the country’s political history. He
led the army through one of the most dangerous wars of all time and won. Noteworthy is the fact
that the Canadian troops never lost a battle while under his command (Encyclopedia Britannica,
n.d.). Mainly, this is because he refused to deploy his army into battle without thorough
planning. Today, he is best known for his outstanding leadership capabilities that led to the
defeat of their enemies (Government of Canada, n.d.). What is more, he should be remembered
for his ingenuity, intelligence and unwavering effort in the battlefield.
Culture
Education
Sir Arthur William Curry, after giving up his position in the military in 1920, became the
principal of McGill University. He had held the position until his death in 1933 (Government of
Canada, n.d.). Therefore, his contribution in the education field is also significant. Though his
academic knowledge was limited to high-school diploma his exceptional capabilities in terms of
management and he also showcased exceptional leadership qualities in his career in the military
on the basis of these abilities he was chosen for this position (Canada’s History, n.d.). During his
tenure he established department for music, the School for Graduate Nurses the Faculty of
Graduate Studies and Research (Government of Canada, n.d.). As a result, during this period of
his life, Curry made a name for himself as a premier university administrator. Furthermore, he
was also the president of the National Conference of Canadian Universities (Government of
Canada, n.d.). He was also a trustee of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching. In this regard, the former General made a significant contribution to the education
history of Canada.

Aside from being the vice chancellor and principal at the university, Sir Arthur Currie
made significant contribution in the education history of the country during his early life.
Specifically, the former general had been a teacher at public schools in Victoria and Sydney
before joining the military (Canada’s History, n.d.). As a result, he was able to contribute to the
education history of the country in his lifetime (Canada’s History, n.d.). In this regard, this aspect
of his life is important to note and study as it shows how Sir Arthur Currie had aligned the
education system with the changes in the society.
Economic
Trade and commerce
After being appointed as the principal of the university owing to his management skills
he had not disappointed the decision as he had shown exceptional expertise. He had quickly
gained respect from the staff as well as the students (Munroe, 2017). Moreover, he had led fund-
raising campaigns to revive the institution (Government of Canada, n.d.). Despite of the great
depression in the economy he had been able to increase the income of the institution (Munroe,
2017). The faculty of medicine in particular progressed under his supervision therefore his
contribution to commerce and trade is also significant.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that before joining the Canadian army, Currie worked as a
private businessman in the position of an insurance salesman and real estate broker (Government
of Canada, n.d.). Also, after the war, Currie lobbied Mackenzie King’s government to pay
pensions to the veterans. Fortunately, he was able to convince the authorities to pay the soldiers
their pensions thereby securing their compensation for the war. In turn, this aspect contributed to
the economic welfare of the soldiers in the country after the war (Munroe, 2017). Therefore, one

may argue strongly that Sir Currie made great contributions to the economy of Canada by taking
part in economic activities in the form of trade and commerce as well as championing for the
economic welfare of the soldiers of war.
Conclusion
All in all, all factors taken into consideration, Sir Arthur Curry played a significant role in
shaping the history of Canada. A farm boy from Ontario who went to the west to seek his fortune
during the Laurier boom, he served the military even before the war began. Initially, he
commanded an artillery regiment for the British Columbia but was not a professional soldier.
However, he later joined the army and Currie became a commander in the First Canadian
Division, and then the commander of the Canadian Corps. He was also later made the Inspector
General of the Militia forces. Later in his life after retirement, Currie became the vice chancellor
and principal of McGill University. Thus, apart from making contributions to the political
history of the country, he also made contributions to the social (education) aspect of the history
of the nation. In this regard, many attributes have been made to his name. He goes down in
history as the greatest military commander of all time in Canada. Today, he is recognized as a
national historic person in the country. He was a great inspiration to his army men and a tactful
leader that sought to win every war he led. He was a capable administrator with sound judgment
in everything he led. Indeed, Sir Arthur made significant contributions to the political, social and
economic aspects of the Canadian history.

Useful links
https://www.canada.ca/en/parkscanada/news/2017/04/
battle_of_vimy_ridgeandsirarthurwilliamcurrie1875-1933.html
https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/people/generals/sir-arthur-currie/
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/currie_arthur_william_16E.html
http://www.canadashistory.ca/Explore/Military-War/History-Idol-Sir-Arthur-Currie
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-arthur-currie/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-William-Currie
https://www.thoughtco.com/sir-arthur-currie-508088

References
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Retrieved March 29, 2018, from
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Canada and the First World War (n. d.). Canadian War Museum. Retrieved March 29, 2018,
from https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/people/generals/sir-arthur-currie/
Currie, Sir Arthur William (n. d.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved March 29,
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History Idol: Sir Arthur Currie (n. d.). Canada’s History. Retrieved March 29, 2018, from
http://www.canadashistory.ca/Explore/Military-War/History-Idol-Sir-Arthur-Currie
Munroe, S. (2017). Sir Arthur Currie. ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 29, 2018, from
https://www.thoughtco.com/sir-arthur-currie-508088
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http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-arthur-currie/
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https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-William-Currie