Author: Cary, Thomas
Biography:
CARY, Thomas (1751-1823: WBIS)
Born near Bristol, Cary spent his early years in England and was for a time employed by the East India Company. But by 1775 he was living in Lower Canada, where he undertook a succession of businesses. He sold spirits in Montreal and provisions in Quebec City, where he finally settled; worked as a government clerk; set up a subscription library to which he eventually added a reading room and a bookshop; acted as secretary to the Governor, Robert Prescott; ran an auction house; and briefly practised law. In 1795 he married Jane Oliver; they had no children but he had two sons from another relationship. His most influential role was as founder (1805) and editor of the Quebec Mercury, which he made the vehicle of his strong opinions. (DCB 28 Feb. 2018) HJ