Virtual Museum Canada

Sir SandFord Fleming - The Knight Of Time

A Man Of His Time

To the Queen's glory

Interior view of the Crystal Palace
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In 1851, the first World Fair was held in London. Designed by the Queen’s husband, Prince Albert, it was intended as a grandiose event celebrating the glory of Victoria’s Empire throughout the world. In a massive building that included an enormous structure of iron covered in glass, over 13,000 exhibits from all over the world were displayed.

The Toronto Palace during the Great Exhibition
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Thousands of visitors moved through the building. Later in life, Sandford Fleming drew inspiration from this impressive building when he designed Toronto’s Palace of Industry.