Egerton Ryerson
Adolphus Egerton Ryerson (24 March 1803 – 19 February 1882) was a Canadian educator, author, editor, and Methodist minister who was a prominent contributor to the design of the Canadian public school system. Ryerson is considered to be the founder of the Ontario public school system.
The Reverend Egerton Ryerson | |
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Portrait of Ryerson by Théophile Hamel, c.1850-51 | |
| Born | Adolphus Egerton Ryerson 24 March 1803 Charlotteville Township, Norfolk County, Upper Canada |
| Died | 19 February 1882 (aged 78) Toronto, Ontario |
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| Known for | Championing free schooling in Canada, influence in the design of the Canadian Indian residential school system |
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| Children | 4 |
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An advocate against Christian sectarianism and control of Upper Canada by the wealthy Anglican elite, Ryerson staunchly opposed Clergy Reserves and promoted a system of free public education in Canada. Conversely, Ryerson was passionate about Christianization, favouring missionary work and protesting the removal of the Bible from Ontario schools.
Following his time as a missionary to the Mississaugas of the Credit River, Ryerson became founding editor of The Christian Guardian, and the first principal of Victoria College. He was appointed as Chief Superintendent of Education for Upper Canada by Governor General Sir Charles Metcalfe in 1844, where he supported reforms such as creating school boards, making textbooks more uniform, and making education free. His extensive contributions to early education in Ontario led to him being memorialized with statues, and in the naming of several institutions and places in Ontario.
The controversial issue of Ryerson’s involvement in the residential school system, is discussed below in the section Egerton Ryerson § Ryerson and residential schools.