George Henry Wright

**George Henry Wright** was a significant Canadian businessman and philanthropist that lived for most of his life in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was born on October 26, 1849 at Wright's Cove, Nova Scotia as the son of farmer George William Wright (1816-1856) and his mother Bridget Lowe. They ran a successful farm in the area, and made a good living out of it.

George didn't see his future in farming, and left his home in 17, looking for his own way of making a fortune. He believed he could follow his dreams in America and went there. Once described as an “incipient genius for compilation,” Wright put his skills to use while in America. He began collecting information to assemble a shippers’ guide for businesses in the United States. This endeavour took him all across the U.S.A. and enabled him to form relationships with many entrepreneurs. The guide was a financial success—but it would be only the beginning of his life’s work.

In 1876, Wright attended the U.S. Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. The Exhibition was the first World’s Fair held in the United States. It took ten years to plan and featured displays about art, manufacturing, farming, mining, and more from each of the American states, as well as 37 different countries. It was here, particularly after seeing the displays from Australia, that Wright was inspired to expand his shipping directory to include more of the world at large. Later that year, he set sail for Australia and New Zealand.

## Globetrotting

Wright’s expedition in Australia was a laborous one. The terrain was difficult, the lodgings were not always comfortable, and the days were long—but he was dedicated to his idea of a world directory. In the Evening Mail, Wright is quoted as saying: “The difficulties seemed overwhelming and the whole prospect dreadfully disheartening, but I had made up my mind to succeed, and stuck right to it.” From Australia and New Zealand Wright travelled to Singapore, Burmah (Myanmar), “Further India” (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia), and India. He then began his journey home by passing through the Middle East, Italy, France, and finally to England where he booked passage back to New York.

Once settled in New York, Wright began the publication of his directory through the firm Thomas Cook and Sons. He titled it “Wright’s World Business Directory,” and it was an instant hit. Full of useful information and business advertisements, the Halifax Herald called the book “invaluable to merchants and manufacturers seeking to extend their trade.” As soon as the book was published, Wright returned to Australia with his brother to distribute the guide. When he arrived, the people were delighted with the product, but also a little surprised that he was able to complete his task. On this trip, Wright began gathering even more information for a second edition, once again travelling to those places he had previously visited—adding Japan to his trip as well. Between 1880 and 1899, Wright would publish 5 editions of the directory, which were composed of some 4,000 pages.

## Back home

Wright was certainly a man of the world, but he never forgot where he came from. In 1896, he returned to Halifax and shifted his focus to improving the community where he grew up. He was also a philanthropist who developed the first housing project in the province. He left in his will his house to the Local Council of Women of Halifax to further the cause of women's suffrage (women's right to vote was achieved six years after Wright's death). He also was one of the large contributors to the Y.M.C.A. building fund and Dalhousie University. He had an idea during a visit to the 1876 Philadelphia Universal Exposition and established the Write's World Business Directory in Boston, a directory of international companies whose success as an essential guide in the business world on three continents made him a millionaire.

An enthusiastic yachtsman, Wright owned several boats including the sloop *Princess*, built by H.W. Embree and Sons in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. Wright also created the George Wright Cup, a racing trophy for sail races at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

## *Titanic*

In 1911 he travelled to France aboard the *Empress of Ireland*. Wright had been in Paris since the fall of 1911, apparently booking a trip at the last minute. He was 62 when he boarded Titanic in Cherbourg for her maiden voyage. His name does not appear on the list of passengers distributed during the trip. He paid 26 pounds for the ticket but it does not appear which cabin he was assigned to, but it must have been one of the First Class cabins on the starboard side of E-Deck.

In the very early hours of April 15, 1912 the *Titanic* collided with the iceberg that would seal its fate. When the true reality of the disaster was reported, and it was discovered that Wright had been among the victims of the tragedy, The Halifax Herald reported: “There is now no doubt that George Wright is among those who went down with the *Titanic*, heroically standing aside like the others to allow the women and children into the boats – themselves facing certain death.” This paints a portrait of a brave man who was obviously revered by the town that lost him, but when survivors were later questioned about Wright’s presence on the ship, no one could recall seeing him. Frazee would say that Wright was inclined to keep to himself, and was also an incredibly heavy sleeper. It was speculated that Wright went to bed on the evening of April 14 and either drowned in his sleep, or woke up too late to escape his cabin. However, Frazee would also state that if Wright had woken in time, he would have been that man who stood to the side to save the lives of others.

Although his body was never found, he has a grave marker in the Christ Church cemetery in Dartmouth.