Old Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Francis Collins

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

1. Francis Collins Marker

Inscription.
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 and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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: 61-75 Jarvis Street (within shouting distance of this marker); York Council Chambers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Daniel Brooke Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cholera Epidemics of 1832 & 1834 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire of 1849 (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Lawrence Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Ann Shadd Cary (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Robert Gourlay (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

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

(looking west from Jarvis Street • St. James Park in background)

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 224 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.