Egerton ryerson biography of martin

Canadian educator and Methodist minister (1803–1882)

Adolphus Egerton Ryerson (24 March 1803 – 19 February 1882)^[1] was a Canadian educator, author, editor, and Methodist minister who was a prominent contributor to the design of the Canadian public school system.^[2] Ryerson is considered to be the founder of the Ontario public school system.

An advocate against Christiansectarianism 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.^[4] Conversely, Ryerson was passionate about Christianization, favouring missionary work 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.^[5] He was appointed as Chief Superintendent of Education STEINHAUER, EGERTON RYERSON - Dictionary of Canadian Biography LOTI