After the American Revolutionary War, U.S. printers were freed of British copyright restrictions and freely reprinted British works. Upper Canadian printers remained bound by British copyright. American presses quickly took the lead in producing cheap editions and eventually the printing of original work.
Publishing in Upper Canada was thus largely limited to local newspapers. The official Kings Printer published a large number of government documents, including the journal of the provincial Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. During the 1830s, a series of directories and gazetteers were independently published. The only substantial original works published were by David Willson, the religious leader of the Children of Peace, a utopian Quaker group who built the Sharon Temple.
The following list is partial, and omits government publications.
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Canada (later London) Inquirer | 1839— | Reform |
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Kingston Chronicle | July 7, 1826 - June 23, 1832 | Reform |
Kingston Chronicle & Gazette, and weekly commercial advertiser | 29 June 1833 – 31 December 1845 | Reform |
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Kingston Gazette | NOV. 27, 1810 - DEC. 29, 1820 | Reform |
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Upper Canada Herald | 1819—1833+ | Independent |
+ The Herald continued to be published by Thomson's wife Elizabeth until 1838, making her the first female newspaper publisher in the province.[1]
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
The British Whig | Feb. 11, 1834 - January 26, 1836 | Reform/Conservative |
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Canadian Emigrant and Western District Advertiser | Dec. 1831 to Sept. 1836 | Reform/Conservative |
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Western Herald and Farmers' Magazine | Jan. 1838 to Oct. 1842 | Reform/Conservative |
Coates was the first printer of the Methodist newspaper "The Christian Guardian" edited by Rev. Egerton Ryerson from 1829–33, after which he opened his own shop.[3]
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Patriot & Farmers Monitor (Kingston) | Nov. 12 1829 —Dec. 7, 1832 | Moderate Reform |
Patriot & Farmers Monitor (Toronto) | Dec. 1832— 1840+ | Conservative |
+ The Herald continued to be published by Dalton's wife Sarah until 1848, making her the second female newspaper publisher in the province.[4]
Newspaper | Dates | Political Orientation |
---|---|---|
Colonial Advocate | May 18, 1824 – 1833 | Reform |
Advocate | 1833-Oct. 30, 1834 | Radical Reform |
Constitution | July 4, 1836-Dec. 6, 1837 | Radical Reform |