John Stewart (1758-1834)

This combative and controversial political figure, widely known as “Hellfire Jack,” authored the first history of Prince Edward Island. Born in Scotland, he came to the Island in 1775. His 1806 book, An Account of Prince Edward Island, is an important and lasting contribution to the understanding of the Island’s history, geography, and politics. His keen observations of the region’s flora and fauna provide a rich ecological portrait of the time. As a member of the colonial elite, he held prominent government offices, served in the military, and accumulated large land holdings. He died at his nearby estate, Mount Stewart.

Cet homme politique combatif et controversé surnommé « Hellfire Jack » est l’auteur de la première histoire de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Né en Écosse, il arrive à l’Île en 1775. Son livre, An Account of Prince Edward Island (1806), contribue de manière significative et durable à la compréhension de l’histoire, la géographie et la politique de l’Île. Ses observations fines de la faune et la flore dressent un riche portrait de l’écologie de l’époque. Membre de l’élite coloniale, il occupe des postes importants au gouvernement, sert dans l’armée et accumule de larges biens fonciers. Il meurt à son domaine de Mount Stewart près d’ici.