The Novascotian – Nova Scotia, Joseph Howe, 1828

Joseph Howe (1804–1873) is one of the most prominent journalists and parliamentarians in Nova Scotia history, best known for winning his libel case in 1835 and for promoting responsible government in Nova Scotia. Howe had published two letters signed ‘The People’ accusing the Halifax magistrates and police of gross corruption. The Attorney General brought a charge of criminal libel against him. Acting in his own defence, Howe was successfully acquitted. 

Born into a printing family, his father was John Howe, who is also featured in our archives. At the age of 13, Joseph became his father’s apprentice and after ten years of training, in 1827, he purchased a small newspaper he called The Acadian. This was not a political newspaper and showed no indication of the political advocacy that Howe would later become known for. It primarily furnished news and featured editorials on local scenery and affairs. Howe’s connection with The Acadian was brief. In 1828, he purchased The Novascotian and, from 1830 onward, focused on political writing, transforming it into the most influential newspaper in Atlantic Canada. As a printer, Howe published numerous works by Nova Scotia writers, including Thomas Chandler Haliburton’s internationally best-selling Sam Slick stories.

In 1836, he began his political career by being elected to the provincial legislature. He became Premier of Nova Scotia in 1860 and led an unsuccessful campaign against Canadian Confederation. Despite this, he later secured a seat in the Canadian Parliament, where he continued to advocate for Nova Scotia’s interests. His political influence largely rested on his ability to convey his ideas through his newspaper.

Joseph Howe died June 1, 1873, in Halifax, just a few weeks after being appointed lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia.