Egerton Ryerson: Building a Spiritual and Intellectual Foundation for a Canadian Identity

Abstract

The article analyses the philosophical and political theories of Egerton Ryerson (1803–1882) – one of the leading figures of intellectual history of Canada in the 19th century. The authors concentrate their research on the religious, political and educational activity of Ryerson,on his vision of good government and reform of educational institutions in Upper Canada. Special features of the Scottish Enlightment are discribed as well.

Keywords

• Canadian methodism
• Canadian philosophy
• intellectual development in Upper Canada
• Scottish Enlightment
• educational reform in Canada
• European trend in Canadian intellectual and political development