Fred Williams (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Williams
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Frederick George Hilary Williams
January 13, 1863 Clapham, London, United Kingdom
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| Died | June 16, 1944 (aged 81) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Resting place | St. James Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Occupation | Journalist, writer, and historian |
| Years active | 1882–1944 |
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| Spouse(s) | Aley Mary Shonfeld |
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| Awards | North West Canada Medal |
Frederick George Hilary Williams (born January 13, 1863, in Clapham, London, United Kingdom – died June 16, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) was an English–Canadian journalist, writer, and historian. He was the son of Charles Frederick Williams, a well-known war correspondent.
Contents
A Career in Journalism
Fred Williams started his newspaper career in January 1882 when he was 19 years old. He worked for over sixty years as a journalist. He began at the Montreal Herald and later worked for the Montreal Gazette.
Working for Newspapers
Williams also wrote for other newspapers like The Montreal Star, The Toronto News, and The Globe and Mail. He even worked as a reporter in Australia from 1893 to 1896. He held many roles, including city editor, news editor, and editorial writer. In 1918, he became a freelance writer, creating a column about Canadian history that was published in many newspapers.
Reporting on Politics
For 25 years, Williams covered Canadian federal politics in Ottawa. He was a member of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery. He met important leaders like Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
On June 6, 1891, Fred Williams was the first reporter to announce the death of Prime Minister Macdonald. He once said that the two best speeches he ever heard were both by Prime Minister Laurier. One was a tribute to Prime Minister Macdonald after his death. The other praised Queen Victoria when she died in 1901. By the end of his long career, Fred Williams was known as the "grand old man of journalism."
Sharing Canadian History
Fred Williams helped many Canadians learn about their country's past. He wrote a popular series of articles that looked back at events that happened on specific dates in Canadian history. People said he helped Canadians become more "history conscious."
"Do You Know?" Series
His history series started in the Toronto Mail and Empire newspaper. It was called "Do You Know?" and was later published in newspapers across North America. The Montreal Gazette newspaper praised his work, saying he brought forgotten details to light and made history come alive. He also had another column called "Lest We Forget" in the Toronto Daily Star. Williams also gave talks about Canadian history, which people enjoyed.
A Stamp of History
In 1934, a special Canadian 10-cent stamp was created because of Fred Williams' idea. This stamp celebrated the 150th anniversary of the United Empire Loyalists settling in Canada. Experts around the world even ranked this stamp as one of the best designs of 1934.
Author and Soldier
Williams and his wife, Aley Mary Shonfeld Williams, wrote a book together called The Canadian Book of Days in 1924.
Military Service
In 1885, Fred Williams served as a gunner with the Montreal Garrison Artillery. They were sent to fight in the North-West Rebellion in Manitoba. He fought in battles like Fish Creek, Cut Knife, and Batoche. For his service, he received the North West Canada Medal. His trip with the military was the first time a passenger train traveled from Montreal to Winnipeg.
Later Life and Legacy
Fred Williams passed away on June 16, 1944, at his home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was 81 years old. His funeral was held at St. James Cathedral in Toronto. Many important publishers and journalists from Canada attended. At his funeral, he was called "the dean of Canadian journalists." He was buried with military honours at St. James Cemetery in Toronto.
