The Novascotian – Joseph Howe
Masthead of The Novascotian newspaper. This masthead is interesting because it shows Nova Scotia’s connection to Britain by including the shamrock for Ireland, the rose for England, the thistle for Scotland, and the mayflower for Nova Scotia.
From printer’s apprentice to political powerhouse, Howe used the press to challenge corruption, promote responsible government and shape the future of Nova Scotia.
Joseph Howe (1804–1873) is one of the greatest journalists and parliamentarians in Nova Scotia history, best known for winning his libel case in 1835 and for promoting responsible government in Nova Scotia. Howe had published two letters signed ‘The People’ accusing the Halifax magistrates and police of gross corruption. The Attorney General brought a charge of criminal libel against him. Acting in his own defence, Howe was successfully acquitted.
His political influence largely rested on his proficiency for conveying his ideas through his newspaper, The Novascotian.
Born into a printing family, his father was John Howe, who is also featured in our archives. At the age of 13, Joseph became his father’s apprentice and after ten years of training, in 1827, he purchased a small newspaper he called The Acadian. This was not a political newspaper and showed no indication of the political advocacy that Howe would later become known for. It primarily furnished news and featured editorials on local scenery and affairs. Howe’s connection with The Acadian was brief. In 1828 he bought The Novascotian or Colonial Herald, which he transformed into the most influential newspaper in Atlantic Canada. Howe sold The Novascotian to William Annand in 1843. Annand would later become the second premier of Nova Scotia.
The Novascotian was discontinued in the 1920s due to dwindling circulation.
Shortly after purchasing The Novascotian, he married Catharine Susan Ann McNab, from a prominent Nova Scotia family.
As a printer, Howe published many books by several Nova Scotia writers, including Thomas Chandler Haliburton’s internationally best-selling Sam Slick stories.
It wasn’t until about 1830 that Howe started concentrating more on writing political topics. This would lead to him being elected, in 1836, as a member in the provincial legislature. He became Premier of Nova Scotia in 1860 and opposed Confederation. In 1867, he finally accepted the fact that Confederation was a done deal and was elected to the Canadian Parliament.
In 1873 he was appointed lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia but died three weeks later. He is buried in Camp Hill Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Timeline: Joseph Howe
• 1804 – Joseph Howe is born in Halifax, son of loyalist printer John Howe.
• 1827 – Buys The Acadian, his first newspaper venture.
• 1828 – Purchases The Novascotian, soon turning it into the most influential paper in the region.
• 1830s – Begins writing politically charged editorials.
• 1835 – Successfully defends himself in a landmark libel trial after exposing corruption in Halifax.
• 1836 – Elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.
• 1860 – Becomes Premier of Nova Scotia.
• 1867 – Joins Canadian Parliament after opposing – but ultimately accepting – Confederation.
• 1873 – Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; passes away just three weeks later.
A Wells press in the lobby of the Nova Scotia Archives was used by Joseph Howe to print his newspaper, The Novascotian. It was patented in 1819 by John Wells of Hartford, Connecticut and is a good example of a cast-iron and toggle-levered press.
Image Sources
Masthead of The Novascotian newspaper. Nova Scotia Archives Newspaper Collection: The Novascotian
https://archives.novascotia.ca/charitable-irish-society/archives/?ID=1
Wikimedia Commons contributors, (2024), Joseph Howe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Joseph_Howe_1.jpg&oldid=941732768
References
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 15). Joseph Howe. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_Howe&oldid=1251233216