The North Star: Canada and the Civil War Plots Against Lincoln

Witness to Yesterday (The Champlain Society Podcast on Canadian History)

Greg Marchildon speaks with Julian Sher about his book, The North Star: Canada and the Civil War Plots Against Lincoln. The North Star explores the complex and often overlooked role of Canada during the American Civil War, focusing on its unexpected involvement in both supporting the Confederate South and plotting against President Abraham Lincoln. The book reveals the darker side of Canada's history, which contrasts with its widely recognized support for escaped slaves. It highlights key figures such as Anderson Abbott, Emma Edmonds, and Edward P. Doherty, as well as the Canadian elite’s ties to the Confederacy, including funding operations and hiding conspirators. Through vivid portraits of cities like Montreal and Toronto, the book uncovers Canada’s hidden role in the war, offering a meticulously researched and relevant account of historical events. Julian Sher is an award-winning journalist and author of seven books, including Until You Are Dead and White Hoods. He has worked as an investigative reporter for the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail and was Senior Producer for CBC's The Fifth Estate. His documentaries, like Nuclear Jihad and Ghosts of Afghanistan, have won major awards. Sher also advocates for media freedoms as a Senior Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Free Expression. Image Credit: Penguin Random House If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.