Egerton Ryerson and Education in Upper Canada

"Egerton Ryerson and Education in Upper Canada" by J. Harold Putman is the story of a man’s profound impact on a region's schools. It focuses on Egerton Ryerson, a key person who helped shape Ontario’s education system. The story shows how education laws changed in Upper Canada from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. By following Ryerson's life, the book also maps out the progress of education during this important time. The beginning of the book tells about Ryerson’s early life and what inspired him to care so much about education and improving society. Ryerson grew up in a family that was loyal to the British Empire, and his father was a pioneer. He became a teacher and then a Methodist preacher, and his work in Upper Canada showed him how important it was to make education available to everyone. This sets the stage for how Ryerson would transform education in Upper Canada.