William Kirby

William Kirby (1817-1906) was a Canadian author best known for his historical novel, The Golden Dog. Born in Yorkshire, England, Kirby immigrated to the United States and then settled in Niagara, Ontario, Canada. He worked as a tanner and later became the editor of the Niagara Mail. Kirby's first full-length work, The U.E.: a tale of Upper Canada, reflected his political views and was eventually published in 1859. However, Kirby's significance as a writer primarily rests on his novel, The...See more

William Kirby (1817-1906) was a Canadian author best known for his historical novel, The Golden Dog. Born in Yorkshire, England, Kirby immigrated to the United States and then settled in Niagara, Ontario, Canada. He worked as a tanner and later became the editor of the Niagara Mail. Kirby's first full-length work, The U.E.: a tale of Upper Canada, reflected his political views and was eventually published in 1859. However, Kirby's significance as a writer primarily rests on his novel, The Golden Dog. Set in New France in 1748, the book took him fifteen years to write. Despite errors in the first edition, it was well-received by the public and gained popularity, with rumors even suggesting that Queen Victoria had read it. The novel showcased Kirby's talent for character development and vivid descriptions of both rural and urban settings. It drew inspiration from James LeMoine's Maple Leaves, which provided historical accounts and oral traditions. Unfortunately, due to copyright issues and publishing mishaps, Kirby did not receive proper royalties for the book. Later, he revised and published an updated version in collaboration with L.C. Page and Company. See less