The Firebrand: William Lyon MacKenzie and the Rebellion in Upper Canada

Although a seemingly minor affair, the rebellious incidents of 1837 in the Province of Canada was an important event in the political development of British North America. At the centre of the agitation in Upper Canada (Ontario) was the Scotish-born newspaper publisher and sometimes reform politician William Lyon MacKenzie. Since his arrival in Upper Canada, he was a critic of the political system, which failed to consider the needs of the majority of the population and was dominated by an exclusive elite--the so-called Family Compact--centred around the capitol York (now Toronto). MacKenzies vehement criticisms, tireless advocacy of democratic reform made him quite unpopular among the ruling elite, but he garnered a considerable amount of support from farmers and some liberal-minded gentlemen. His agitation played a significant role in the gradual slide toward "rebellion" in 1837. But whereas he was an astute political agitator, he was utterly hopeless as a leader of an uprising, and it quickly degenerated into a farce. The Firebrand is an illuminating biography of this fascinating yet perplexing man; it is a lucid and sometimes whimsical account of his life and role in the rebellion, and I believe captures the spirit of the times quite well.