The Books' Purpose from the Author
The primary goals of this essay are: to set the record straight about Eden Smith's family background, which has been misrepresented elsewhere; to reveal his relationship to William Morris and his circle, which was previously unknown; and to provide a reliable inventory of his work in Toronto.
The essay first sets the background with a sketch of Eden Smith's origins in England and his career in Canada; it then explores the sources of the influences that acted upon him as a young apprentice and student of architecture in his hometown of Birmingham. His credentials as an Arts and Crafts architect are then explored by examining his role in a critical debate that involved the Arts and Crafts communities in both England and Canada, and by looking at his statements on architecture that appeared in the Canadian press.
After considering various aspects of his buildings, there is an attempt to provide some insight into the character of the man. We then look at his legacy and provide an inventory of Eden Smith buildings arranged by district, derived mainly from the City of Toronto building permits.
Notes to the text and a selected bibliography are provided for those who wish to explore the subject further.
About W. Douglas Brown
W. Douglas Brown was born in Niagara Falls but spent most of has lived most of his life in the Great Toronto Area. His passions include Eden Smith, the Arts & Crafts movement and hiking. Feel free to contact Douglas if you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding his book or this website. Douglas is also an active supporter of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the William Morris Society of Canada.