Joseph Howe

As editor of The Novascotian, Howe was charged with criminal libel in 1835 for exposing police corruption in Halifax. Defending himself for over six hours, his eloquence secured an acquittal that established freedom of the press in Canadian law.

In 1848, Howe led Nova Scotia to become the very first colony in the British Empire to achieve responsible government. Initially an impassioned opponent of Confederation, he later joined the federal cabinet to secure 'better terms' for his beloved province before dying in office as Lieutenant Governor.