Graduate Students

Morgan, Elizabeth - Ph.D

Visions of Improvement: Fergus, Canada West 1833-1863 - Dr. Gilbert Stelter, advisor

         When Adam Fergusson and James Webster founded the Village of Fergus, Canada West, in October of 1833, it represented the culmination of their joint desire to seek a more acceptable modus vivendi through the creation of an exemplary settlement. fergus was intended to be a model community that displayed the collective achievements of a select group of Scottish emigrants whose dedication, wealth and entrepreneurial spirit combined to foster an atmosphere of excellence. The aim of this analysis is to examine the concept of improvement in the context of Fergus during its first thirty years of development from 1833 to 1863, and to assess the extent to which the idealism of Adam fergusson and james Webster was translated into reality.