Political, social and economic advancement in Upper Canada were often linked to characteristics other than merit. Through a collective biographical study of the social and economic background of the 283 men who were elected to the House of Assembly of Upper Canada between 1791 and 1841, J.K. Johnson draws a number of general conclusions regarding the relative importance of factors such as occupation, local office-holding, religion, nationality, political leanings, and education.

Holding local office as a magistrate was almost essential for further prominence, but holding a commission in the militia was equally if not more important. Anglicanism was an enormous advantage in achieving prominence. In addition, national origin was also an important political divider: the number of prominent Scots was even greater than historians have previously suspected while there was a consistent under-representation of native-born Canadians in the group studied.

Prominence was usually bestowed from above, rather than achieved by upward striving and merit. Consequently patronage, having the right connections in the central executive government, was crucial to advancement beyond the first levels of prominence. Correct political views were necessary for advancement, but religion and nationality were at least as significant.

Becoming Prominent includes an extensive appendix which contains the biographical data upon which the author's findings are based.