L.R. “Red” Wilson, A Canadian Journey: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Legacy

L.R. “Red” Wilson’s impact has been felt across generations of Canadians businesspeople and students. This biography honours a man who followed his interests wherever they led, sought out new challenges whenever he could, and above all, always worked to leave every place he stopped along better than he found it.
Tracing the contours of Mr. Wilson’s fascinating journey, renowned Canadian business historian Dimitry Anastakis brings to light an inspiring story of commitment, determination, and service. Born in Port Colborne in 1940, L.R. “Red” Wilson’s trajectory as a student, foreign service officer, senior civil servant, business leader, supporter of higher education, and philanthropist is an extraordinary tale of post-Second World War Canada. Mr. Wilson held executive leadership positions in some of Canada’s largest and most important firms, including Redpath Sugar, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and Bell Canada Enterprises. Recipient of the 1994 International Business Executive of the Year Award, Mr. Wilson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997, and he has received honourary degrees from several universities, including McMaster University, where he was Chancellor from 2007-13.
L.R. “Red” Wilson, A Canadian Journey portrays  Mr. Wilson’s professional and personal lessons, learned from a lifetime of choices, and illustrates the importance of a strong character and astute values in achieving greatness.

Dimitry Anastakis is Professor and L.R. Wilson/R.J. Currie Chair in Canadian Business History at the University of Toronto in the Department of History and the Rotman School of Management, where he teaches about business, the state and politics, globalization, and automobility. He has published twelve books and edited collections, including five books on aspects of the Canadian auto industry in North America including Dream Car: Malcolm Bricklin’s Fantastic SV1 and the End of Industrial Modernity.