The Champlain Society seeks to advance knowledge of Canadian history through the publication of scholarly books (both digital and print) of primary records of voyages, travels, correspondence, diaries and governmental documents and memoranda.
The speech prompted Sir Edmund Walker (1848–1924), liberal thinker, philanthropist and president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, into action.
A frail constitution prevented Walker from pursuing a teaching career, so instead he entered the business world at the age of twelve years.
Many works have examined aspects of Indigenous life, including books by Father Joseph Francois Lafiteau and John Norton.
Volumes have, since the beginning, been produced in signature red binding, with embossed crest, and typically feature maps and contemporary illustrations.
Supplementary to its primary role as a publisher, the Society also advances its aims by organizing and participating in meetings, symposia and conferences that contribute to an increased awareness of Canada's documentary history.
Created through an endowment from Floyd Sherman Chalmers, it is awarded annually to the best book written on any aspect of Ontario history in the preceding calendar year.
B. Tyrrell, 1927–32; Eric Armour, 1932–34; H. H. Langton, 1934–36; Sir Robert Falconer, 1936–42; Judge Frederick W. Howay, 1942–43; W. S. Wallace, 1943–48; Harold C. Walker, 1948–53; W. Kaye Lamb, 1953–64; John M. Gray, 1964–69; W. L. Morton, 1969–74; John Warkentin, 1974–79; R. Murray Bell, 1979–84; Peter S. Osler, 1984–88; Frederick H. Armstrong, 1988–91; Gerald Killan, 1991–94; Ian E. Wilson, 1994–2004; Michael B. Moir, 2004–10; Patrice A. Dutil, 2010–18; Michel S. Beaulieu, 2018-2023; Lawrence Ostola, 2023-