A Colonial Portrait

The Halifax diaries (1811-1816) of Lady Sherbrooke, wife of Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, appear in print for the first time to mark the 200th anniversary of the Sherbrooke's arrival in Halifax. Lady Sherbrooke, the daughter of a clergyman, was a well-educated young English woman. Her diaries chronicle the social and cultural life of colonial Halifax, and ordinary events such as births, marriages, birthdays, and deaths. The diaries also record events of the 1812-1815 war between Britain and the United States. The 224-page volume includes a Foreword by The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Editor G. Brenton Haliburton's introduction and his annotations to the diary entries provide historical detail about the events and people mentioned in the diaries. Articles and clippings from Halifax's newspapers of the day give readers a feeling for life in early 19th century Halifax. The book also includes maps and a detailed index.