Joseph Howe

The Honourable Joseph Howe, PC (December 13, 1804 ? June 1, 1873) was born the son of John Howe and Mary Edes at Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is one of the Fathers of Canadian Confederation.

Journalistic Career

Howe purchased the Novascotian, a Halifax newspaper, in 1828 and went into the printing business for himself. He remained its editor until 1841 turning the paper into the most influential in the province. Not only did he personally report the legislative assembly debates in its columns, he also published provincial literature and his own travel writings. He used the paper as a means for educating himself and the people of Nova Scotia. Howe's rise to fame was due to his early prominence as a newspaperman and defender of freedom of the press.

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His, at times, harsh editorial commentary and accusations of government corruption resulted in a libel charge in 1835. Howe defended himself against the charges without the help of a lawyer and was acquitted. Afterwards, his editorial writing became increasingly concerned with political issues. It was his involvement with the Novascotian that propelled Howe into the political arena. In order to promote his desire for responsible government, he assumed the editorships of both the Novascotian and the Morning Chronicle from 1844 to 1846, making them rallying points for liberal principles.

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