SIR

See also:

• SANDFORD, JOHN DE (d. 1294)

SANDFORD

See also:

• FLEMING, PAUL (1609-1640)
• FLEMING, RICHARD (d. 1431)
• SIR SANDFORD FLEMING (1827- )
• FLEMING, SIR THOMAS (1S44-1613)

FLEMING (1827- )  , Canadian engineer and publicist, was born at Kirkcaldy, Scotland, on the 7th of January 1827, but emigrated to Canada in 1845 . Great powers of work and thoroughness in detail brought him to the front, and he was from 1867 to r88o chief engineer of the Dominion government . Under his control was constructed the Inter-colonial railway, and much of the Canadian Pacific . After his retirement in 188o he devoted himself to the study of Canadian and Imperial problems, such as the unification of time reckoning throughout the world, and the construction of a state-owned system of telegraphs throughout the British empire . After years of labour he saw the first link forged in the chain, in the opening in 1902 of the Pacific Cable between Canada and Australia . Though not a party man he strongly advocated Federation in 1864–1867, and in 1891 vehemently attacked the Liberal policy of unrestricted reciprocity with the United States . He took the deepest interest in education, and in 188o became chancellor of Queen's University, Kingston . He published The Intercolonial: a History (Montreal and London, 1876) ; England and Canada (London, 1884) ; and numerous brochures and magazine articles on scientific, social and political subjects .