Amherstburg in Essex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Major John Richardson

(1796 - 1852)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2013

1. Major John Richardson (1796 - 1852) Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Born at Queenston in Upper Canada, John Richardson served as a volunteer at Fort Malden during the War of 1812 and was taken prisoner by the Americans at Moraviantown. He was released at war's end, retired on half-pay in 1818, and spent most of the next 20 years in Europe. There he won a certain literary reputation with works such as the poem Tecumseh and Wacousta, a historical novel. Returning to Canada as a journalist, he founded the New Era in Brockville where, in 1842, he published his history, The War of 1812. Financial success eluded him, and before 1850 he moved to New York where he died in poverty.

Né à Queenston, John Richardson servit comme volontaire au fort Malden durant la guerre de 1812 et fut fait prisonnier par les Américains à Moraviantown. Libéré à la fin de la guerre, il prit sa retrait avec une demi-pension en 1818 et passa la plupart des vingt années suivantes en Europe. Il y acquit une certaine réputation littéraire avec des oeuvres comme le poème Tecumseh et le roman historique Wacousta. Revenu au Canada comme journaliste, il fonda le New

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Era à Brockville et, en 1842, il publia son histoire de la guerre de 1812. Ayant des difficultés financières, il alla s'installer à New York, où il mourut dans la pauvreté.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 42° 6.473′ N, 83° 6.797′ W. Marker is in Amherstburg, Ontario, in Essex County. It can be reached from Laird Avenue South close to Elm Avenue, on the right when traveling south. This historical marker is located almost immediately behind the Fort Malden National Historic Site Visitor Centre. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amherstburg ON N9V 1X5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

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: Fort Malden Points of Interest (a few steps from this marker); The "Tecumseh Stone" (a few steps from this marker); Pensioner's Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Shoreline Breakwall (within shouting distance of this marker); Detroit River Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian Council House

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2013

2. Major John Richardson (1796 - 1852) Marker

View of the historical marker situated along the walking paths at the Fort Malden National Historic Site Park.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Amherstburg (Fort Malden) (within shouting distance of this marker); Privy (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amherstburg.

Also see . . . Fort Amherstburg in the War of 1812. This is a link to information provided by "The War of 1812 Website." (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2013

3. Major John Richardson (1796 - 1852) Marker

View of this historical marker located almost immediately behind the Fort Malden National Historic Site Visitor Centre.

Major John Richardson image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. Major John Richardson

This portrait of Major John Richardson appeared in his 1902 book The War of 1812.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on July 8, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 19, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.