Early Canadian Printing and Type, 1752–1900
Chapter 1: 1752–1800
Compiled by Linda Kincaid
This period saw the introduction of printing into Canada. There were no newspapers or printing presses under French control. Except for the Upper Canada Gazette, all the newspapers at this time were established by American printers who came north seeking new opportunities. Most of the newspapers at this time were pretty much tools of the government and printers were strongly discouraged from printing anything that could be considered hostile to the government. This was especially true after the American Revolution (1775–1783). Those Americans that remained loyal to Great Britain were called United Empire Loyalists and a lot of these Loyalists came to Canada to avoid persecution. Although they faced many obstacles and were often in debt, they laid the foundation for a Canadian newspaper industry.
The Halifax Gazette, Nova Scotia, John Bushell, 1752
A College Drama, Lower Canada (Quebec), Fleury Mesplet, 1776
A Proclamation, Prince Edward Island, James Robertson, 1789
The Nova Scotia Chronicle and Weekly Advertiser, Nova Scotia, Anthony Henry, 1769
The Royal St. John’s Gazette and Nova- Scotia Intelligencer, New Brunswick, John Ryan, 1784
The Nova-Scotia Magazine, Nova Scotia, John Howe, 1790
Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle, Upper Canada (Ontario), Louis Roy, 1793
Almanack, Nova Scotia, Elizabeth Gay, 1806
Newfoundland Mercantile Journal, Newfoundland – Alexander Haire and Robert Lee, 1816
Cree Spelling Book, Northwest Territories (Manitoba), James Evans, 1841
Provincial Freeman, Upper Canada (Ontario), Mary Ann Shadd, 1853
The Nor’-Wester, Northwest Territories (Manitoba), Buckingham & Coldwall, 1859
The Bulletin, Northwest Territories (Alberta), Frank Oliver, 1880
The Quebec Gazette | La Gazette de Quebec, Lower Canada, Guillaume (William) Brown and Thomas Gilmore, 1764
Journal of the House of Assembly, New Brunswick, Christopher Sower, 1786
The Quebec Gazette | La Gazette de Quebec, Quebec, Samuel and John Neilson, 1790
Chapter 2: 1801–1850
Compiled by Linda Kincaid
While printers were still working in difficult conditions, this period saw printers starting to flex their muscles and beginning to have some success in challenging the traditional hierarchical structure of society. Many of the printers in this period went on to become politicians using their newspapers to promote freedom of the press.
Colonial Advocate, Upper Canada (Ontario), William Lyon Mackenzie, 1824
Rags to Wood Pulp, Charles Fenerty, c1844
Chapter 3: 1851–1900
Compiled by Linda Kincaid
By 1900 printing had spread across every province and territory in the newly established Dominion of Canada, thanks to the efforts of earlier printers. This period saw newspapers largely free from government control and saw them take on the role of establishing the Canadian identity. They often had very strong views and did not hesitate to voice them in their editorials. As earlier printers before them, they too often went into politics as they continued to work for progress and change.
