The Quebec Gazette – Guillaume Brown and Thomas Gilmore, 1776

The Seven Years War (1756–1763) was a global war between Great Britain and France, which drew in numerous European powers and allies on both sides, including the Indigenous peoples of North America. It ended in 1763, with Great Britain taking possession of all French territories in North America. For the 100 years that France controlled Lower Canada (Quebec), no printing press had ever been established. All colonial literature written about New France was published in France for a European audience.

Quebec’s first printing press arrived in 1764, just a year after France ceded control of its colonial possessions to Britain. As American printers sought new business opportunities in Lower Canada, Guillaume (William) Brown and Thomas Gilmore from Philadelphia traveled to Quebec City. On June 21, 1764, they published the first issue of the Quebec Gazette. The newspaper was bilingual, featuring the front page in a single wide column and the remaining pages in a two-column format. Since neither Brown nor Gilmore spoke French, they had to hire a translator. The Gazette was published every Thursday, initially with 143 subscribers and a subscription cost of 15 shillings per year. Despite high costs and limited funds, Brown secured a government contract with a yearly salary of 50 pounds.

In addition to the regular weekly issues, the Gazette frequently published extra editions with extraordinary news or announcements. These supplements were a unique feature of the Quebec Gazette, with nearly every issue in the last decade of the century including a supplement.

Besides the Gazette, Brown also published various materials, including catechisms and school books, based on demand. Gilmore passed away in 1773, and Brown continued until his death in 1789. Both are buried in Quebec.

Brown’s nephews, Samuel and John Neilson, then took over the press and continued the legacy of fine printing. The Quebec Gazette ceased publication in 1874.

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