FEBRUARY 2, 1867 - JULY 25, 1937
Western Canada may owe part of its current wheat-growing success to Sir Charles Edward Saunders. Saunders developed the “Marquis” hard red spring wheat variety that was planted in the spring of 1910. Ten years after it was first planted, 90% of the 17 million acres of wheat crops planted in Canada (and much of the United States) was Marquis.
Sir Charles E. Saunders was a plant breeder working for the Government of Canada Experimental Farm Services. His Marquis wheat matured early and was high yielding, it also yielded great results in baking. Saunders is credited with determining the gluten quality of wheat, and its suitability for baking, by chewing on the seeds. His contribution to Canadian agriculture was so impressive, that in 1934 King George V knighted Charles E. Saunders.
In subsequent years, the genetics in the “Marquis” variety were used as the basis for other wheat varieties as new cereal diseases emerged.
Sir Charles E. Saunders ambition was to be a musician, but he grew up on a farm near London, Ontario. His father was a druggist, who taught his children to cross breed berries and other produce. Sir Charles E. Saunders received his PhD in Chemistry from John Hopkins University.
As the Government’s Dominion Cerealist, Saunders was also involved in breeding other cereals, such as barley and oats (he developed a new hull-less variety), as well as flax, peas and beans.
Poor health led to early retirement. In recognition of his important contributions to agriculture, Canadian farmers banded together in 1925 to raise funds to ensure that Saunders pension could increase from $900/year to $5,000/year.
When Saunders died, his contributions were recognized around the world, including this one from the London Daily Express, “He added more wealth to his country than any other man. Marconi gave power. Saunders gave abundance. Great lives, these!”
Charles was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1961, and was nominated by Canadian Seed Growers' Association.