John Charles Dent

John Charles Dent (November 8, 1841 – September 27, 1888) was a Canadian journalist, author and historian. Dent has been compared to American historian Francis Parkman for his ability to write about Canadian history without being dull and dry. He was born in Kendal, Westmorland, England. Shortly after his birth, his family emigrated to the Canadian West. Dent received his primary education in Canadian schools, studied law in Brantford, Ontario, and became an attorney in 1865. He practised law for a few years, but found the profession did not suit him, and was drawn to pursue literary endeavours instead. He accordingly relinquished his practice as soon as he felt himself in a position to do so, and went to England. He developed his journalistic skills working for The Daily Telegraph. He also contributed a series of articles to the periodical Once a Week. He supported his wife and family as a writer, concentrating on work that could be quickly written and readily sold. Accordingly, Dent produced no particularly ambitious work in England. After remaining in England for several years, Dent and his family moved to the U.S. in 1867. He obtained a position in Boston, which he held for about two years. Then he went to Toronto, having accepted a position on the editorial staff of the Toronto Evening Telegram, which was then just starting. For several years Dent was a journalist for various newspapers, but principally the Toronto Weekly Globe. To that journal he contributed a very notable series of biographical sketches on "Eminent Canadians".