Famous Canadians from Ontario (page 2)

Famous Canadians from Ontario (continued)

Margaret Atwood – Writer. Born in Ottawa in 1939. Attended University of Toronto. Many of her novels are set in Toronto and refer to landmarks such as the Royal Ontario Museum, Queen Street West, the Royal York Hotel, the Toronto Islands, etc. Atwood has helped put Toronto on the map.

Marie Dressler – Film star from the 1930s. Visit the Dressler House in Cobourg where she was born. In her day, one of the most famous Canadians in the silver screen.

Martin Short – Comedian/actor. Born in 1950 in Hamilton.

Mazo De la Roche (1879–1961) – Author of the Jalna series of novels. In Mississauga (near Toronto), you can visit the Benares Historic House, the house that was the model for Jalna, the home of the fictious Whiteoak family.

Mike Myers – Actor. Raised in Scarborough (Toronto suburb). One of the most famous Canadians in Hollywood today.

Nellie McClung – Suffragist. Famous activist in the Persons Case. You can see a monument to the Persons Case leaders in Ottawa on Parliament Hill.

Norman Bethune – Doctor and humanitarian who worked in China. You can visit his birthplace in Gravenhurst, the Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site. Probably the most famous Canadian in China.

Paul Kane (1810-1871) – Artist. Born in Ireland but grew up in Toronto where he lived most of his life. Best known for his paintings and sketches of Aboriginal people done during a two-year journey across western Canada. You can see many of these works in the Royal Ontario Museum.

Pauline Johnson (1861 - 1913) - One of Canada's best known poets. Performed her poetry on stage at the turn of the 20th Century. Good travel writer too. Daughter of a Mohawk Chief and an American woman originally from England. You can visit her home at Ohsweken, the Chiefswood National Historic Site (near Brantford).

Rich Little – Comedian. Born 1938 in Ottawa.

Roberta Lynn Bondar (1945 - ) - First Canadian woman in space. Born in Sault Ste. Marie.

Shania Twain (1965- ) – Country singer. Born in Windsor, but grew up in Timmins.

Sir Allan McNab – One of Canada's first premiers. Visit his majestic home, Dundurn Castle, in Hamilton.

Sir Frederick Grant Banting - Co-discoverer of insulin. Born in Alliston. You can visit the Banting House National Historic Site in London.

Sir Isaac Brock (1769 - 1812) - Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. Died defending Canada at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. Brock’s Monument in Queenston Heights park in the Niagara Region is impossible to miss. Brock University in St. Catharines is named after him as well.

Sir William Osler (1849 - 1919) - Called "the father of modern medicine". Advocated bedside training (not just book learning) for doctors. Medical innovator, researcher and author. Born in Bond Head and raised in the quaint, old-fashioned town of Dundas.

Stephen Leacock – Author. One of the most famous Canadians in the literary world in his era; people called him the Mark Twain of Canada. Known for his funny novels and short stories. His best known work is Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. You can visit his summer home, The Stephen Leacock Museum, in Orillia.

Tom Thomson – Painter. Associated with Algonquin Park, where he painted many of his works and died mysteriously at Canoe Lake. You’ll find his works in major art galleries including the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada, as well as the Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery in Owen Sound.

Wayne Gretzky – Hockey star. Born in Brantford. Has a boulevard named after him! No museum yet, but I’m sure that’s coming.

William Lyon Mackenzie – Rebel, writer, publisher, politician, First Mayor of Toronto. Visit his last home, Mackenzie House, in Toronto, or his printery, the Mackenzie Heritage Printery, in Queenston.

William Lyon Mackenzie King – Former Prime Minister of Canada. Grandson of William Lyon Mackenzie. You can visit his boyhood home, Woodside National Historic Site of Canada, in Kitchener, his estate (The Mackenzie King Estate) in Gatineau Park across the river from Ottawa and the Laurier House National Historic Site in Ottawa where he lived while he was Prime Minister.

Yousef Karsh –Photographer. Created portraits of royalty, world leaders and international celebrities as well as famous Canadians. Worked out of a studio in the famous Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. You can find his work in major galleries around the world including the National Gallery of Canada. Great one of Stephen Leacock at the Stephen Leacock Museum, too.

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