About Egerton Ryerson
Adolphus Egerton Ryerson (24 March 1803 – 19 February 1882) was a Canadian educator, administrator, author, editor, and Methodist minister. He was a prominent contributor to the design of the Ontario public school system, for which he served as an administrator. 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 amongst the indigenous peoples 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 in Cobourg. 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 contributions to early education in Ontario led to him being memorialized with statues, and in the naming of several institutions and places in the province. Ryerson was consulted by the founders of the Indian residential school system. However, he was not directly involved in founding or running of the residential school system, and predeceased its creation. Ryerson emerged as an articulate defender in the public sphere by publishing articles (at first anonymously) and later books that argued against the views of Methodism's chief rival John Strachan and other members of the powerful Family Compact.
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