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Donald Grant Creighton (July 15, 1902-December 19, 1979) is a noted Canadian historian. Born in Toronto he attended Victoria College, in the University of Toronto. He then attended Balliol College at Oxford University before returning to Canada to teach history.
Creighton was heavily influenced by Harold Innis and took an economic approach to Canadian History. His main contribution was the development of the Laurentian Thesis, which described the basis of Canadian history by looking at the geography and the nation's dependence on the major centres. His two most important works are The Commercial Empire of the St. Lawrence (1937) and his two volume biography of John A. Macdonald.
In later years Creighton turned to expressing himself in the media. An intensive Canadian nationalist his opinions have often been criticized, especially his anti-Quebec views. His last book, The Forked Road: Canada, 1939-1957, is a clear example of how out-of-touch he became in later years. He died of cancer in Collingwood, Ontario in 1979.
Creighton was regarded by many as the foremost historian of his day and his influence is still strongly felt. Many of Canada's top historians studied under Creighton, such as Ramsay Cook and Michael Bliss, and Creighton's view of Canadian history is still often studied.
In 1967 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Brock University history professor Donald A. Wright is writing a biography.
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