Thomas Chandler Haliburton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Chandler Haliburton
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Haliburton, c. 1836
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| Member of Parliament for Launceston | |
| In office 1859–1865 |
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| Preceded by | Josceline Percy |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Henry Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 December 1796 Windsor, Nova Scotia |
| Died | 27 August 1865 (aged 68) Isleworth, England |
| Political party | Conservative Party (UK) |
| Spouses |
Louisa Neville
(m. 1816; died 1840)Sarah Harriet Owen Williams
(m. 1856) |
| Children |
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| Parent |
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| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Thomas Chandler Haliburton (born December 17, 1796 – died August 27, 1865) was a famous writer, judge, and politician from Nova Scotia, Canada. He played an important role in the history of Nova Scotia before it joined Canada. He was also the first writer from Canada to have books become best-sellers around the world. In 1856, he moved to England, where he became a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party. He was the father of Lord Haliburton, a British government official, and Robert Grant Haliburton, an anthropologist.
Early Life and Career
Thomas Chandler Haliburton was born on December 17, 1796, in Windsor, Nova Scotia. His father, William Hersey Otis Haliburton, was a lawyer and judge. Thomas's mother passed away when he was young. When he was seven, his father married Susanna Davis.
Thomas went to University of King's College in Windsor and graduated in 1815. After finishing school, he became a lawyer. He opened his own law practice in Annapolis Royal, which used to be the capital of Nova Scotia.
Haliburton became well-known as a local businessman and a judge. But he became most famous for his writing. He wrote several books about history, politics, and how to improve farms.
Becoming a Famous Writer
Haliburton first became famous around the world with his "Clockmaker" stories. These stories first appeared in a newspaper called the Novascotian. Later, they were published as a book and became very popular light reading across the British Empire. The books told funny stories about a main character named Sam Slick.
In 1816, Haliburton married Louisa Neville. She was the daughter of Captain Laurence Neville.
From 1826 to 1829, Haliburton served as a representative for Annapolis County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. This was like being a member of the local government.
Life in England
In 1856, Thomas Chandler Haliburton retired from his law career and moved to England. That same year, he married Sarah Harriet Owen Williams.
In 1859, Haliburton was elected as a Member of Parliament for Launceston, England. He was part of the Conservative Party. He decided not to run for re-election in 1865.
Haliburton received an honorary degree from Oxford University for his contributions to literature. He continued writing until he passed away on August 27, 1865. He is buried in All Saints' churchyard in Isleworth, near London.
His Family
Thomas Chandler Haliburton met Louisa Neville in England. They married in 1816 and then moved back to Nova Scotia. They had three sons and five daughters:
- Susannah Lucy Anne (1817–1899): She later became Mrs. Weldon and was known for collecting ceramics.
- 'Thomas Jr.: He was a talented musician. Sadly, he became ill and passed away at age 26.
- Augusta: She married an iron master.
- Emma: She married an Anglican clergyman.
- Amelia (1829–1902): She was a landscape artist. She married Reverend Edwin Gilpin, who was the Dean of Nova Scotia.
- Robert Grant Haliburton (1831–1901): He was a lawyer, writer, and anthropologist.
- Laura Charlotte: She was an artist. She married William Cunard, whose father was the famous shipping magnate Sir Samuel Cunard. Laura's paintings were shown in art galleries in London.
- Arthur (1832–1907): He later became 1st Baron Haliburton. He was a British government official and the first person born in Canada to become a British Peer.
His Legacy
Haliburton was very keen on encouraging people to move to the British colonies in North America. One of his first books, published in 1823, was a guide for immigrants to Nova Scotia.
The community of Haliburton, Nova Scotia was named after him. Also, Haliburton County in Ontario is named in his honor. This was because he was the first chairman of the Canadian Land and Emigration Company.
In 1884, students and teachers at his old college founded a literary society. This group, called the Haliburton Society, is still active at the University of King's College, Halifax. It is the oldest college literary society in the Commonwealth of Nations and North America.
Haliburton's writings might even be connected to the history of ice hockey! In one of his books from 1844, he mentions "hurly on the long pond on the ice." Some people think this refers to a game like ice hockey that he might have played at King's College. This mention is part of Windsor's claim to be the birthplace of hockey.
In 1902, a memorial was put up in Christ Church, Windsor, Nova Scotia, to remember Haliburton and his first wife. His former home in Windsor is now a museum that you can visit.
Works
- A General Description of Nova Scotia - 1823
- An Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia - 1829
- The Clockmaker - 1836
- The Clockmaker, 2nd Series - 1838
- The Bubbles of Canada - 1839
- A Reply to the Report of the Earl of Durham - 1839
- The Letter-Bag of the Great Western - 1840
- The Clockmaker, 3rd Series - 1840
- The Attaché; or Sam Slick in England - 1843
- The Attaché; or Sam Slick in England, 2nd Series - 1844
- The Old Judge, Or Life in a Colony - 1849
- The English in America - 1851
- Rule and Misrule in English America - 1851 vol 1 vol 2
- Sam Slick's Wise Saws and Modern Instances - 1853
- The Americans at Home; or, Byways, Backwoods, and Prairies - 1855
- Nature and Human Nature - 1855
- The Season-Ticket* - 1860
- Maxims of an Old Stager (Note: This book was not written by Haliburton, but used the "Sam Slick" name.)
