John Ewart Architect for a New World: Upper Canada's First Architect in York and London

John Ewart arrived in the Town of York (now Toronto) from Scotland in 1818. In a short twelve-year span starting in 1820, Ewart was involved in the first great building projects that helped the two small outposts of York and London gain their civic footholds. As Upper Canada’s first architect in these towns, his works include the east wing of Osgoode Hall, the Court Houses, and Jails in both towns, and the original buildings for: St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Toronto General Hospital, and the Upper Canada College. He was also a founding member of several prominent organizations such as the Mechanics’ Institute (forerunner of the world’s second busiest library system – The Toronto Public Library). His story is told by Ewart’s descendant, Janet Ewart FitzGerald, who brings her great-great grandfather’s achievements into print for the first time. Writer and researcher Harry von Bommel assists FitzGerald in weaving Ewart’s life together with the history of Upper Canada. We see how a relatively unknown figure makes his mark among the colony’s elites and becomes father-in-law to Ontario’s longest serving premier, Sir Oliver Mowatt. Along with those who have architectural interests, this story will intrigue anyone whose forebears were also present while Canada took its first steps towards nationhood.