Dr. Paul S. Fritz, Professor Emeritus
(Inducted 2004)
Dr. Paul Fritz is a native of Lyn Junction and attended BCI in the 1950's. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History, Politics and Economics from Queen's University in 1961, his Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin, 1962, and his Ph.D. from Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. His specialty was Modern British History. In 1961, Dr. Fritz became a teaching instructor at Queen's and a professor of history at McMaster University from 1966 to 1999.
He authored and edited several books including The English Ministers and Jacobitism, Women in the 18th Century, City and Society in the 18th Century, plus a wide range of scholarly articles, many of them dealing with British Royalty. He served as a TV Commentator for the coverage of the funeral for Princess Diana.
His awards include the Gold Medal in History and the Peace Prize Medal from Queen's in 1961. He also received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal for Contributions to Historical Studies in Canada and in 1978 was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (England).
Upon retirement he became widely involved in writing and research on the history of the Leeds & Grenville area. His publications in this area include A History of the Old Stone Mill Delta, Ontario, A History of Holy Trinity Church, Oak Leaf and A History of Delta United Church. He headed up the Committee to save the Old Stone Church in Phillipsville (home of the second oldest Baptist Community in Ontario) and lectured on local history to genealogical groups, architectural societies and historical societies and became President of the Delta Mill Society.
He restored an old stone house that was featured in Century Home and Harrowsmith Country Life selected it for the cover of the 25th Anniversary Issue. The gardens he created around the house were featured on the PBS show “From A Country Garden” and awarded 2nd Prize in the Canada wide contest by Canadian Gardening.