Central London in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Josiah Blackburn 1823-1890

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026

1. Josiah Blackburn 1823-1890 Marker

Inscription. The son of a Congregationalist minister, Blackburn was born in London, England. After some experience in journalism he immigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1850 and joined the staff of The Star in Paris. Two years later he purchased a small London weekly The Canadian Free Press, from its founder, William Sutherland. Blackburn's keen business sense and flair for political writing made this newspaper a success. In 1855 he began a daily, The London Free Press and Daily Western Advertiser - later, The London Free Press. He allso controlled The Ingersoll Chronicle and helped found The Mail in Toronto. An ardent liberal who later became an equally fervent conservative, he was one of the province's most influential newspaper publishers.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 42° 59.273′ N, 81° 15.351′ W. Marker is in London, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is in Central London. It is at the intersection of Albert Street and Ridout Street North, on the right when traveling

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west on Albert Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 76 Albert Street, London ON N6A 1L7, 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: Eldon House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Ridout Street Complex (approx. half a kilometer away); St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica / Basilique Saint-Pierre (approx. half a kilometer away); Dominion Public Building / Édifice Dominion Public (approx. half a kilometer away); St. Paul’s Cathedral 1846 (approx. half a kilometer away); First Anglican Episcopal Election (approx. half a kilometer away); London Women's Monument (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in London.

Also see . . . Blackburn, Josiah (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).

Josiah Blackburn was educated at the City of London and the Mill Hill schools before immigrating to Canada West in 1850. He joined his brother John at the Paris Star in 1852 and also became involved in the Ingersoll Chronicle. That same year he purchased the weekly Canadian Free Press from James Daniell, holder of a $500 mortgage against William Sutherland, who had founded the paper in London, Canada West, in 1849. From a small printing office at the back
circa 1860s

2. Josiah Blackburn ca 1860s
London Public Library (public domain)
of a dry goods store, Blackburn acted as editor, reporter, proof-reader, bookkeeper, collector, and canvassing agent. Early in 1854 the operation was expanded, and on 5 May 1855 Blackburn began a daily edition, the London Free Press and Daily Western Advertiser (after 1872 the London Free Press) which has continued to the present.

(Submitted on April 5, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026

3. Josiah Blackburn 1823-1890 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.