William Kirby

Niagara resident William Kirby (1817-1906) is best remembered today for his work as a historical novelist and promoter of Canadian history. Born in England, Kirby lived in the United States and elsewhere in Canada before settling in Niagara in 1847. A Canadian nationalist, he became committed to the promotion of Canadian history and believed that the country's past contained important lessons for its future. Kirby's novel, The Golden Dog, a tale of New France's conquest by the British, was published in 1877 and was well-received by audiences in Canada and abroad. A patron of the Niagara Historical Society (founded 1895), Kirby worked with like-minded residents, such as Janet Carnochan, to preserve the town's buildings and military sites. They also collected documents and artefacts about the area's history and founded the Niagara Historical Museum to house these materials. Sadly, Kirby died one year before the Museum's new building opened. Kirby's house on Front Street still stands today.

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For more about the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake, call Managing Director Clark Bernat or staff at Niagara Historical Society Museum. The Crier welcomes any feedback on this feature or ideas for future submissions. Visit the Niagara Historical Museum at 43 Castlereagh Street, or its website at www.niagarahistorical.museum.