Scottish novelist John Galt died - On this day in history

John Galt, publisher of the first full biography of Lord Byron and founder of the city of Guelph, died on 11 April 1839 at the age of 59.

Galt was originally an administration clerk who for many years, dabbled in both publishing and trading. In 1824, he was appointed Secretary to the Canada company and it was whilst in Canada that he founded Guelph. All three of his sons became involved in Canadian political life, with his son Alexander becoming Canada's first Minister of Finance.

Further reading

Four Galt novels: Annals of the Parish, the Ayrshire Legatees, The Provots, The Entail