This illustrated lecture by Doug Brown, author of the recently published Eden Smith: Toronto’s Arts and Crafts Architect, covers Eden Smith’s life and career in both England and Canada, while going into special detail about his activities in the High Park area of Toronto. The strong personal influence of William Morris and his Birmingham circle on Eden Smith’s architectural principles is also examined.

Between his arrival in Toronto in 1887 and 1896, Eden Smith and his family lived in various rented quarters in central Toronto. In 1896 however, during a depressed period in the building market, he designed and had built for himself a house on Indian Road in the area east of High Park. The lecture focuses on the buildings he designed in the neighbourhood over the next twenty years and the people who lived in them - many of them artists and personal friends of the architect. After 1907 Smith, artist George Reid, and several others migrated out of High Park to Wychwood Park, where Smith designed a further ten homes. The remainder of the illustrated lecture covers his work in other areas of Toronto.

Directions: Emmanuel College is right at the Spadina Line Museum Stop. Exit at the east side of University Ave (Queen’s Park, to give it the correct name) and walk south a few yards. Alternatively, from the Bloor line the stop is St. George - Bedford Road exit, from which you walk east along Bloor Street to the east side of University Avenue/Queen’s Park. Go south and Emmanuel College entrance is just south of Charles Street, opposite the Museum subway entrance. Take the elevator to the third floor. Signs will be posted at the entrance to guide you to room 319. Admission is FREE. Refreshments will be served.