Abstracts
Abstract
Major John Richardson has been recognized as “the father” of Canadian literature as well an early historian of the War of 1812 but his writings, rich in detail and highly autobiographical, have not been sufficiently appreciated by historians as valuable historical source materials. Yet they provide accurate portrayals of contemporary Upper Canadian perceptions and attitudes similar to those found in the writings of the more popular Brock, Strachan, Mackenzie, Robinson, Baldwin, and Ryerson. Richardson also deserves greater recognition for his role as a Canadian patriot and nationalist. Despite living abroad, he consistently proclaimed himself “a Canadian”, and hoped, through his works, to “infuse” into the Canadian community “a spirit of National literature.” His writings reflect the pride and emerging Canadian national spirit and as such merit greater attention by historians.
Résumé
Le commandant John Richardson est reconnu comme « le père » de la littérature canadienne et considéré comme un des premiers historiens de la Guerre de 1812. Toutefois, même si ses écrits sont bien détaillés et fortement autobiographiques, ils ne sont pas suffisamment estimés par les historiens en tant que sources historiques. Ils fournissent néanmoins de justes représentations des perceptions du Haut-Canada et des prises de position similaires à celles qu’on retrouve chez Brock, Strachan, Mackenzie, Robinson, Baldwin et Ryerson. Richardson mérite également d’être davantage reconnu pour son rôle de patriote et de nationaliste canadien. Même s’il vivait à l’étranger, il proclamait haut et fort être « un Canadien » et espérait, de « faire infusion d’un esprit de littérature Nationale » dans la communauté canadienne. Ses écrits démontrent la fierté et la naissance de l’esprit canadien, et méritent considérablement plus d’attention de la part des historiens.
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Appendices
Biographical note
Alan James Finlayson H.B.A. (Toronto 1971), B.Ed. (F.E.U.T.1972), M.A. (Carleton 1977), M.Ed. (Niagara 1980) is a retired educator with a love of history and research. He learned of Richardson in a Canadian literature course at Carleton in 1971-72 and went on to write his major research paper (“Major John Richardson: A Study of an Artist, His Historical Models and His Milieu” 1977) about him. He began his career in education with the Halton Board (Social Science teacher, Department Head, Consultant, Co-ordinator) in 1973, but maintained his interest in Richardson over the years and since retirement has begun writing.