author
Barlow Cumberland
1846–1913
A businessman, historian, and energetic public figure, he wrote lively books on Great Lakes shipping, Canadian history, and imperial symbols. His work captures a moment when transportation, patriotism, and local history were all closely tied together.
3 Audiobooks
A Sketch of how "The Diamond Anthem" was Sung around the World The 60th Anniversary of the Accession Day of Her Majesty Queen Victoria
by Barlow Cumberland
A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River
by Barlow Cumberland
History of the Union Jack and Flags of the Empire
by Barlow Cumberland
About the author
Born in 1846 and active in Canada for most of his life, Barlow Cumberland was a writer whose books ranged from transportation history to national symbols and the War of 1812. He is especially known for A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River and for works on the Union Jack and Canadian historical subjects.
Beyond writing, he worked in the Great Lakes shipping world and was connected with the Niagara Navigation Company, serving as its vice-president for many years. Sources also describe him as president of the Ontario Historical Society in 1909, which fits well with the strong historical interests shown in his books.
Cumberland's name also appears in early Canadian sports history: accounts of rugby in Canada credit F. Barlow Cumberland and Frederick A. Bethune with helping codify rules at Trinity College, Toronto, in the 1860s. He died in 1913, leaving behind a body of work that blends practical knowledge, civic pride, and a deep interest in Canada's past.