Howard Angus Kennedy

Howard Angus Kennedy (December 27, 1861 – February 15, 1938) was a British born Canadian journalist and historian.

Biography

Kennedy was born in Stepney, in London, England in 1861. His parents were John Kennedy, an Anglican priest and Helen Stodart Blackie. He was educated at the City of London School until 1877 when he joined a shipping firm. Four years later he journeyed to Canada with the intention of learning to farm but became a journalist instead. He became a correspondent for the Montreal Witness as well as the New York Herald. His most notable assignment was to cover the Riel Rebellion in 1885. He was present during the relief of Battleford, the Battle of Cut Knife and the pursuit of Big Bear. Afterwards he became city editor for the Witness, a position which he held for five years. In 1890 he returned to England to become editor of The Times Weekly. During his employment with The Times, he travelled back to Canada where he toured the country and wrote informational booklets for the Canadian government on the many regions.

He returned to Canada in 1912 and bought a large farm in Alberta with his son. His intention of settling down as a farmer was interrupted by the outbreak of war and he was invited by the government to help with the war effort. He went to Ottawa where he worked as a writer and editor for several government agencies until 1918. After the war he devoted his time to writing and eventually produced 17 books as well as numerous articles and pamphlets. From 1918 onward he also worked as a freelance journalist.