Collection F382 - Letters of Joseph Howe

Joseph Howe was a journalist, politician, and public servant. Born, 13 Dec. 1804 at the Northwest Arm in Halifax, N.S., son of John Howe and Mary Edes; died 1 June 1873 at government house in Halifax. Joseph Howe was one of the leading figures that led the Anti-Confederation movement in the province of Nova Scotia. He gained prominence as a newspaper man, and defender of the freedom of the press before a career in Canadian politics. His involvement with the local Halifax newspaper, the Novascotian, propelled him into the political arena. Howe wrote harsh editorial commentaries, addressing the corruption of the government and promoting Anti-Confederation sentiments. He joined the Canadian cabinet as the Secretary of State of the Provinces in November of 1869 after a long yet futile period of protest against the government. In addition, Howe was a key figure in Manitoba’s entry into Confederation.