Old Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Francis Collins
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
1. Francis Collins Marker
Francis Collins, Canada’s first professional parliamentary debates reporter, was born ca. 1800 in Newry, County Down, Ireland. He had been a publisher before his arrival in York (Toronto) where, near here from 1825-1834 he published the “Canadian Freeman.” Collins advocated the principles of a free press and the establishment of an uncensored record of Parliamentary debates. For his attacks on the Family Compact he was jailed in 1828 and, following the debate of the House of Assembly on his case, he was granted royal clemency. Francis Collins and members of his family were victims of the cholera epidemic of 1834.
Erected 1982 by Toronto Historical Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 43° 39.058′ N, 79° 22.338′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Old Town. Marker is on Jarvis Street just south of Adelaide Street East, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located beside the sidewalk on the east side of St. James Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 Jarvis Street, Toronto ON M5C 2H2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 61-75 Jarvis Street (within shouting distance of this marker); York Council Chambers (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Also see . . . Francis Collins.
Journalist, printer, publisher, and office holder. In July 1825 he established his own newspaper, the Canadian Freeman, and at once began attacking the administration of Lieutenant Governor Sir Peregrine Maitland and his “reptile band” of tory advisers.(Submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
2. Francis Collins Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
