PIONEER WOMEN OF CANADA'S BOOK TRADE
Though many people do not realize it, women have a long history in Canada’s book trade. On March 23, 1752 the history of printing officially began in Canada with the launching of the Halifax Gazette.
In 1751, John Bushell immigrated to Halifax from Boston. He brought with him his printing experience as well as a son and a daughter. It was his daughter, Elizabeth, who worked with her father in the printing office of the Gazette. She was a presswoman and compositor.
Though little is known of Elizabeth, it has been documented that she worked with her father from the time the first issue of the Gazette was published, until his death in 1761. Elizabeth is believed to have remained in Halifax but there is no evidence to support this fact. Her death certificate cannot be found in the Halifax archives. It is known that her brother moved to Philadelphia where he opened a printing business, which he operated until his death in 1797.
The Gazette was the first printing job and the most regular that came off the Bushell’s press. Besides this, they were able to obtain work from local businesses and the Canadian Government. At that time, Canada was a British Colony and the King appointed John Bushell as his printer. He printed statutes, proclamations, laws, advertisements from local business and publishing news. On occasion, John even printed material that opposed the government. The press also published documents for Lieutenant Governor Monkton and Governors Lawrence and Hopson.
Elizabeth worked alone at her father’s presses to produce these documents, as her father was usually busy doing other things. Though he was a good worker, he was deeply in debt and had a keen taste for spirits. Elizabeth, being an expert compositor, was often left to fulfill all printing obligations including those for the King and other government officials.
Since there is little documentation of the exact work that Elizabeth did, we can only speculate on how much she did in her father’s office. However, she now shares a place with him in Canada’s printing history for helping to establish the first printing firm and for launching Canada’s first newspaper.
Dora Ridout Hood is another important woman in Canada’s book trade. She was born on January 23, 1885 in Toronto, Ontario to George and Elizabeth Ridout. She acquired a private education in Canada and England.
In 1905, Dora graduated from Havergal College and traveled extensively until she met and married Dr. Frederick C. Hood. They had a daughter, Mary, and a son, Wharton.
Latest Articles