No historical figure more romantically personifies the pioneer spirit of a young and growing Canada than does Catherine Parr-Traill.
Emigrating to Canada in 1832, Catherine lived in Lakefield, the Rice Lake area and finally, in Peterborough until her death. During her 69 years in the Kawarthas, she balanced eking out life in the Canadian wilderness with a prolific writing career. Her books are often referred to as complete studies in Canadian pioneer life, including the now- classics ‘The Backwoods of Canada,’ ‘The Female Emigrant’s Guide’ and ‘Plant Life in Canada.’
With the publication of her last book, ‘Pearls and Pebbles’ in 1894, she was held in esteem as the oldest living author in the British Empire.