Alastair Sweeny
Encyclopedia
Alastair Sweeny is a Canadian
publisher, historian, and author.
Born in Toronto
, Ontario
, he attended St. Andrew's College
, received a Bachelors degree from the Trinity College in the University of Toronto
, and a Master of Letters and Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin
.
Sweeny has managed research programs, produced reference and learning materials, and consulted with many leading private and public sector organizations, including as an adviser to the Canadian government's Task Force on National Unity (the Pepin-Robarts Commission), Library and Archives Canada
, Parks Canada
, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, National Indian Veterans Association, Assembly of First Nations, Canadian Heritage, eLibrary ProQuest, Nelson Thomson Learning, Quebecor Media, Electric Library Canada and CanWest Global.
In 1989, he produced "Canadisk", Canada's first multimedia CD-ROM as a joint venture with Encyclopaedia Britannica. In the 1990s, he developed learning materials for Apple Computer
's pioneering eWorld
online service, and produced the original Encarta Book of Quotations (1999) with Microsoft
Inc. and Bloomsbury Publishing, London. In the 1990s he helped get Canada's SchoolNet under way, and developed the On This Day in Canadian History online service for Bell Globemedia
.
Sweeny has produced and written corporate history for a number of Canadian companies, including Investors Group, Alberta Energy Company (now Encana), Magna International
and Gendis, Inc.
. He has done background research for Canadian authors such as W. L. Morton (research for a biography of Lord Strathcona), Peter C. Newman
(Hudson's Bay Company series background history), Richard Gwyn
(The 49th Paradox: Canada in North America), Pierre Berton
(The Promised land) and Jeffrey Simpson
(Spoils of Power). He is author of several books, including a biography of Sir George-Étienne Cartier
(1976) and CanQuiz (2002). His "business biography" of the BlackBerry, BlackBerry Planet
, was published by John Wiley Canada Ltd in September, 2009, and his book on Canada's oilsands industry, Black Bonanza
, was published by Wiley in April, 2010.
Sweeny is currently Executive Director of the non-profit educational foundation, The Civics Channel, dedicated to research, teaching and learning in the areas of citizenship and society, politics, human rights and the justice system. He is co-author and producer of Civics Canada Online, as well as its print version, Civics Canada (2005), and the sponsored Canadawiki portal.
He is also Vice President of Northern Blue Publishing of Waterloo, Ontario
, and co-author and producer of History of Canada Online and Canada's First People, a pioneering history of Canada's native and aboriginal nations.
In 2008, he produced two open collaborative sites - The John A. Macdonald Portal and the Samuel de Champlain Portal - to serve as student resources on the life and works of Canada's first Prime Minister, and the founder of New France.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
publisher, historian, and author.
Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, he attended St. Andrew's College
St. Andrew's College (Aurora, Ontario)
St. Andrew's College, also known as SAC, is an independent school founded in 1899 located in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is a university-preparatory school for boys in grades 6 to 12, with a focus on academic achievement, athletics, and leadership development...
, received a Bachelors degree from the Trinity College in the University of Toronto
University of Trinity College
The University of Trinity College, informally referred to as Trin, is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1851 by Bishop John Strachan. Trinity was intended by Strachan as a college of strong Anglican alignment, after the University of Toronto severed its ties with the Church of...
, and a Master of Letters and Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
.
Sweeny has managed research programs, produced reference and learning materials, and consulted with many leading private and public sector organizations, including as an adviser to the Canadian government's Task Force on National Unity (the Pepin-Robarts Commission), Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada is a national memory institution dedicated to providing the best possible account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible for use in the 21st century and beyond...
, Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, National Indian Veterans Association, Assembly of First Nations, Canadian Heritage, eLibrary ProQuest, Nelson Thomson Learning, Quebecor Media, Electric Library Canada and CanWest Global.
In 1989, he produced "Canadisk", Canada's first multimedia CD-ROM as a joint venture with Encyclopaedia Britannica. In the 1990s, he developed learning materials for Apple Computer
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
's pioneering eWorld
EWorld
eWorld was an online service operated by Apple Inc. between June 1994 and March 1996. The services included email , news, and a bulletin board system...
online service, and produced the original Encarta Book of Quotations (1999) with Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Inc. and Bloomsbury Publishing, London. In the 1990s he helped get Canada's SchoolNet under way, and developed the On This Day in Canadian History online service for Bell Globemedia
Bell Globemedia
Bell Media is the mass media subsidiary of BCE . Its operations include television broadcasting and production , radio broadcasting , Digital Media, and Internet properties.Bell Media is the successor-in-interest to Baton Broadcasting...
.
Sweeny has produced and written corporate history for a number of Canadian companies, including Investors Group, Alberta Energy Company (now Encana), Magna International
Magna International
Magna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
and Gendis, Inc.
Albert D. Cohen
Albert Diamond Cohen, was a Canadian entrepreneur, community builder, philanthropist, and Officer of the Order of Canada. He was Chairman, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Gendis Inc. , a Toronto Stock Exchange listed Canadian real estate and investment company headquartered in...
. He has done background research for Canadian authors such as W. L. Morton (research for a biography of Lord Strathcona), Peter C. Newman
Peter C. Newman
Peter Charles Newman, CC, CD is a Canadian journalist and writer.Born in Vienna, Austria, Newman emigrated from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia to Canada in 1940 as a Jewish refugee. His father, Oscar, was a self-made wealthy factory owner. Newman was educated at Upper Canada College, where he was...
(Hudson's Bay Company series background history), Richard Gwyn
Richard Gwyn
Richard John Philip Jermy Gwyn, is a Canadian civil servant, journalist and author.-Early life:Richard Gwyn was born on May 26, 1934, in Bury St. Edmunds, England, and was the second son to his parents Brigadier Philip Eustace Congreve Jermy-Gwyn, an Indian Army officer, and Elizabeth Edith...
(The 49th Paradox: Canada in North America), Pierre Berton
Pierre Berton
Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, was a noted Canadian author of non-fiction, especially Canadiana and Canadian history, and was a well-known television personality and journalist....
(The Promised land) and Jeffrey Simpson
Jeffrey Simpson
Jeffrey Carl Simpson, OC , is a Canadian journalist. He has been The Globe and Mails national affairs columnist for almost three decades...
(Spoils of Power). He is author of several books, including a biography of Sir George-Étienne Cartier
George-Étienne Cartier
Sir George-Étienne Cartier, 1st Baronet, PC was a French-Canadian statesman and Father of Confederation.The English spelling of the name, George, instead of Georges, the usual French spelling, is explained by his having been named in honour of King George III....
(1976) and CanQuiz (2002). His "business biography" of the BlackBerry, BlackBerry Planet
BlackBerry Planet
BlackBerry Planet is a business history of Research In Motion's mobile device, the BlackBerry, written by Canadian writer and historian Alastair Sweeny.The hardback edition was published by John Wiley Canada in 2009.-External links:*...
, was published by John Wiley Canada Ltd in September, 2009, and his book on Canada's oilsands industry, Black Bonanza
Black Bonanza
Black Bonanza is a business history of the Athabasca Oil Sands, written by Canadian writer and historian Alastair Sweeny.The hardback edition was published by John Wiley Canada in 2010.-External links:** - includes sample chapter, **...
, was published by Wiley in April, 2010.
Sweeny is currently Executive Director of the non-profit educational foundation, The Civics Channel, dedicated to research, teaching and learning in the areas of citizenship and society, politics, human rights and the justice system. He is co-author and producer of Civics Canada Online, as well as its print version, Civics Canada (2005), and the sponsored Canadawiki portal.
He is also Vice President of Northern Blue Publishing of Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the smallest of the three cities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is adjacent to the city of Kitchener....
, and co-author and producer of History of Canada Online and Canada's First People, a pioneering history of Canada's native and aboriginal nations.
In 2008, he produced two open collaborative sites - The John A. Macdonald Portal and the Samuel de Champlain Portal - to serve as student resources on the life and works of Canada's first Prime Minister, and the founder of New France.