The Sir Samuel Steele Collection is comprised not only of the papers of Sam Steele (1848–1919), but also those of his wife, Marie Harwood Steele (1859–1951), their children Gertrude (1895–1963), Flora (1891–1948), and Harwood (1897–1978), and of fellow Mountie and founder of the Legion of Frontiersman, Roger Pocock (1865–1941). ;xNLx;Visit steele.library.ualberta.ca
Born in Purbrook, Medonte Township, Simcoe County, Upper Canada to Elmes Yelverton Steele (Capt, RN) and Anne MacIan Macdonald; attended school of Mr. Edwin Slee in Orillia.
Hudson’s Bay Company receives title to Vancouver Island by Royal Grant to reinforce Britain’s claim to all territory north of the 49th parallel.
British Columbia joins Canadian Confederation.
The Crimean War deters Russian encroachment on Ottoman Turkish territory.
Indian Mutiny (or India’s First War of Independence) against the East Indian Company’s forces is suppressed, but inaugurates direct British rule of India.
The British North American Exploring Expedition, led by Irish adventurer John Palliser, explored the Canadian West from Red River to the mountains and beyond, gathered scientific data and specimens, sought a favourable railway route, described the land, and assessed its suitability for settlement and cultivation.
Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa (aka Bytown) as the capital of the United Provinces of Canada.
Fraser River gold rush and its successors prompt the creation of the mainland colony of British Columbia.
Fenian Brotherhood of Irish nationalists forms in New York to pressure Britain into granting Ireland independence by attacking and seizing Canada.
American Civil War begins with the Confederate assault upon Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor and ends with surrender at Appomattox.
