The Americans at Home: Or, Byeways, Backwoods, and Prairies

Thomas Chandler Haliburton was born on December 17, 1796, in Windsor, Nova Scotia. After graduating from Kings College in Windsor, Haliburton opened a law practice at Annapolis Royal. Twenty years later, in 1841, Haliburton was appointed a Judge of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. In addition to his work as a lawyer, politician, and judge, Haliburton was an author, the first Canadian writer to gain international attention during the 19th century. He is best known for the book The Sayings and Doings of Sam Slick of Slickville, featuring the literary character Sam Slick, a Yankee clock peddler whose witty sayings are still quoted today. As a history writer, Haliburton wrote the books History of Nova Scotia and Rule and Misrule of the English in America. Haliburton died at his home, Gordon House, in 1865 and was buried in the Isleworth Churchyard.