I was honoured to hear that Professor Michiel Horn had read my biography of R.B. Bennett and pleased when invited to respond to his comments. Let’s begin with the quibbles.
First, my intention was to create a single-volume biography of scholarly merit but for the general reader. Thus, decisions were made as to when points regarding the man and his times had been adequately made and when additional illustrative examples would prove superfluous. Horn cites a couple such examples; I could list more. Conversely, I’m afraid that he declared absent many ideas and events that are indeed discussed. Most blatant among them is the detailed examination of Bennett’s efforts in Quebec prior to the 1930 election.
Second, Horn is an experienced and exceptional historian so I know he understands that my not padding the bibliography with every source consulted or my not echoing particular arguments does not mean that I failed to read or consider them. Once again holes are confused with decisions.
Horn’s primary concern, however, seems to involve his taking up a debate he began with J.R.H. Wilbur way back in 1969 when that esteemed scholar made the case for Bennett as a reformer who moved the Conservatives to the left of the Liberals. In 1991, Larry Glassford’s analysis of the party under Bennett’s leadership added strength to Wilbur’s thesis. My research, which traipsed me through all of the old sources to which Horn refers in his review and myriad more current scholarship, led to my supporting and hopefully adding depth and nuance to Wilbur and Glassford’s views.
I located Bennett’s core political ideas in his Wesleyan upbringing and admiration for Britain and its Tory leaders. The congruent ideas informed decisions made throughout his life and career, including adopting Keynesian ideas to fight the Depression. Of course he took actions that Keynesians would decry, but the point is that Bennett moved Canada toward a new collective consensus and that Mackenzie King came late to the party. The Liberal’s arrival was seen, and Bennett’s enduring influence cemented, with King’s embracing left-leaning, Keynesian policies and advancing Canada’s journey toward a more activist role for government—just as Bennett had long envisioned.
Horn says my book is not the definitive Bennett biography. I cheerfully agree. Arguments about something as intriguing as the Depression and someone as complex and remarkable as Bennett should never end.
