Big Men Fear Me

The remarkable true story of the rise and fall of one of North America's most influential media moguls, George McCullagh, is explored in the book "Big Men Fear Me." McCullagh's bipolar disorder destroyed his political ambitions and eventually killed him, but his biography sheds new light on the resurgence of populist politics, challenges to collective action, and attacks on the free press.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Biblioasis

Nominated for the 2023 Heritage Toronto Book Award, the remarkable true story of the rise and fall of one of North America's most influential media moguls is now available in book form. When George McCullagh bought The Globe and The Mail and Empire and merged them into the Globe and Mail, the charismatic 31-year-old high school dropout had already made millions on the stock market. It was just the beginning of the meteoric rise of a man widely expected to one day be prime minister of Canada. But the charismatic McCullagh had a dark side. Dogged by the bipolar disorder that destroyed his political ambitions and eventually killed him, he was all but written out of history. It was a loss so significant that journalist Robert Fulford has called McCullagh's biography one of the great unwritten books in Canadian history—until now.

In Big Men Fear Me, award-winning historian Mark Bourrie tells the remarkable story of McCullagh's inspirational rise and devastating fall, and with it sheds new light on the resurgence of populist politics, challenges to collective action, and attacks on the free press that characterize our own tumultuous era.

Born in 1871 in Toronto, McCullagh was the son of a successful merchant. He attended high school but dropped out to pursue a career in journalism. His early work was published in local newspapers, and he quickly gained a reputation as a talented writer and editor.

In 1900, McCullagh founded The Globe and Mail, a newspaper that would become one of Canada's most influential and respected publications. He was a fierce advocate for free speech and a strong believer in the power of the press to hold government accountable.

Under McCullagh's leadership, The Globe and Mail became known for its investigative journalism and its commitment to covering the stories that mattered to Canadians. The newspaper's coverage of the Spanish-American War, the First World War, and the Great Depression helped to shape public opinion and to drive political change.

But McCullagh's success was not without its challenges. He was a polarizing figure, and his aggressive style of journalism often made him enemies. He was also known for his temper and his tendency to lash out at those who disagreed with him.

In 1929, McCullagh's political ambitions were finally realized when he was elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Liberal Party. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the party's leader in 1933.

But McCullagh's political career was short-lived. His bipolar disorder began to take its toll, and he was eventually forced to resign from the House of Commons in 1935. He spent the rest of his life battling his mental illness, but his legacy as a journalist and a champion of free speech continued to inspire generations of Canadians.

In the years following McCullagh's death, his biography was largely forgotten. But in the 1990s, journalist Robert Fulford began to research his story, and he was amazed by what he found. Fulford discovered that McCullagh had been a complex and fascinating character, and that his life had been shaped by a series of personal and professional challenges.

Fulford's book, Big Men Fear Me, is a masterful account of McCullagh's life and career. The book is filled with vivid descriptions of McCullagh's early years, his rise to power, and his tragic fall. Fulford also sheds new light on the political and social climate of the time, and on the challenges that faced journalists and publishers in the early 20th century.

One of the most striking aspects of McCullagh's story is his commitment to free speech. McCullagh was a fierce advocate for the right to express oneself, and he was willing to stand up to those who sought to suppress it. He was particularly vocal in his opposition to censorship and government interference in the press.

But McCullagh's commitment to free speech was not without its costs. He was often targeted by those who disagreed with him, and he faced a number of legal challenges over the years. In 1918, he was sued by the government for libel after The Globe and Mail published an article that accused the government of conspiring to send Canadian troops to fight in World War I.

Despite these challenges, McCullagh never wavered in his commitment to free speech. He believed that it was essential to the health of democracy, and that it was the responsibility of journalists and publishers to defend it.

In the years following McCullagh's death, his legacy as a champion of free speech continued to inspire journalists and publishers around the world. His work helped to shape the development of modern journalism, and his example continues to serve as a reminder of the importance of the press in shaping public opinion and driving political change.

In conclusion, the remarkable true story of the rise and fall of George McCullagh is a testament to the power of the press and the resilience of the human spirit. McCullagh's life and career were shaped by a series of personal and professional challenges, but his commitment to free speech and his determination to fight for what he believed in helped to shape the course of Canadian history. Big Men Fear Me is a masterful account of McCullagh's life and career, and it sheds new light on the resurgence of populist politics, challenges to collective action, and attacks on the free press that characterize our own tumultuous era. McCullagh's legacy as a champion of free speech will continue to inspire generations of journalists and publishers, and his example will serve as a reminder of the importance of the press in shaping our world.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 143 x 217 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771964937