John Strachan, 1778-1867

“John Strachan is a major protagonist in many books concerning Canada in the nineteenth century, but this is the first biography since his successor Bethune’s Memoire of him in 1870. In this study Professor Henderson traces Strachan’s life from his childhood in Scotland when his mother decided that he would be a minister to his death in Toronto in the year of Confederation.His career was a varied and exciting one. He arrived in Kingston, a young man, as private schoolmaster for two merchant families. Soon afterward he had himself ordained for a colonial parish and his combined career in education and religion started in earnest with the establishment of his grammar school and church in Cornwall. After his move to York and after the 1812 War John Strachan had his choice of three careers: in education, in the church, or in government. He chose all three and from then on was constantly at the centre of religious and political struggles in Upper Canada. His religious ambition was crowned by his appointment as Bishop of Toronto, and his fight for a church college resulted in the founding of Trinity College. However, his plans for a national Church of England in the Canadas were ended with the split between church and state and the secularization of the Clergy Reserves.This biography includes both public and the private life of John Strachan. The story of his and his family’s part in the history of Upper Canada illuminates the turmoil and struggle of a young colony coming of age.” - Publisher