Fonds F04 - Raymond Hart Massey fonds

Raymond Hart Massey was born August 30, 1896 in Toronto, Ontario to Anna (nee Vincent) and Chester Daniel Massey, owner of Massey-Harris Tractor Company. His older brother was Vincent Massey, a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who became the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada. Raymond briefly attended the Preparatory School at Upper Canada College before coming to Appleby School (now College) from 1911-1914. While at Appleby, Raymond was Head Prefect, played on the First Rugby, Hockey, and Cricket teams and performed in the Appleby Dramatic Club’s productions. Raymond went on to attend the University of Toronto but his education was interrupted by his service in the Great War; he served in the Canadian Field Artillery, where he rose to the rank of Captain. At the end of the war, Raymond attended Oxford University. Raymond is among the first Canadian-born actors to attain international stardom and is best remembered for this portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in both the stage and film versions of Robert Sherwood’s Abe Lincoln in Illinois; his popular movies include The Scarlet Pimpernel, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Arsenic and Old Lace, Things to Come, and East of Eden. Raymond received 7 honourary doctorates from universities in Canada and the United States and attributed his former Appleby master Vernon Harcourt de Butts Powell for his love of drama. Raymond Massey died on July 29, 1983.