World · North America · 1 hr ago
Historian Carl Berger reshaped how Canadians understood their past
Canadian historian Carl Berger died in Toronto at 87 on Oct.
1.
His 1970 book, *The Sense of Power*, examined ideas about Canada between Confederation in 1867 and the First World War in 1914.
Berger argued that apparent support for the British Empire often expressed Canadian nationalism rather than simple loyalty to imperial rule.
He studied writers, speakers, myths and legends, using historical documents to understand what people meant in their own time.
His approach changed how Canadian history was researched and taught, extending attention beyond the ideas of politicians.
Berger spent nearly 40 years at the University of Toronto, and the account describes the lasting impact of his work.
Historian Carl Berger died in Toronto on Oct. 1 at the age of 87.
His 1970 book, The Sense of Power, changed how many people understood Canadian history.
The book argued that ideas described as Canadian imperialism also expressed English-Canadian nationalism.
Berger examined the political, social, cultural and material settings in which ideas developed.
His work influenced how Canadian history was interpreted, written and taught.
- Who
- Carl Berger, a Canadian historian and University of Toronto professor.
- What
- He reshaped how Canadian history was studied, particularly through his book The Sense of Power.
- When
- He died on Oct. 1, aged 87; the article was published Nov. 14, 2026.
- Where
- He died in Toronto.
- Why
- His work showed how ideas about imperialism could also express English-Canadian nationalism.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The period examined in Berger’s book on Canadian imperialism and nationalism.
Berger published The Sense of Power.
Douglas Owram and Gerald Friesen honoured Berger’s work in the collection Thinkers and Dreamers.
Berger died in Toronto at the age of 87.
- Historian
- Carl Clinton Berger
- Age at death
- 87
- Place of death
- Toronto
- Book
- The Sense of Power: Studies in the Ideas of Canadian Imperialism, 1867-1914
- Book publication year
- 1970
- Honouring collection
- Thinkers and Dreamers, 2011