Burrows Willcocks Arthur Sleigh
Burrows Willcocks Arthur Sleigh was a Canadian-born writer and soldier, born in 1821 near the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. The son of a surgeon and published author, Sleigh moved to England with his family at a young age and later returned to Canada for his education. He enlisted in the British army around 1842, serving in Jamaica and participating in various military postings. During his time in the service, he began writing to combat boredom, resulting in the publication of his only novel, *The Outcast Prophet*, in 1847, which romanticized military life.
After leaving the military, Sleigh settled initially in England before relocating to King's County, Prince Edward Island, where he owned a substantial amount of land. His ventures in business, including establishing a steamboat route between Quebec and New York, were largely unsuccessful, leading him to return to England and focus on publishing and writing. He authored works including his memoir, *Pine Forests and Hacmatack Clearings*, advocating for a Canadian royal governor and an aristocratic class, although his ideas were largely ignored by officials.
Despite facing financial difficulties and an unsuccessful political career, Sleigh's contributions to literature, especially in Canadian writing, have been noted, with scholars recognizing his strengths in setting and character development, although they critiqued his narrative style. He passed away in 1869 in Chelsea, England, leaving behind a complex legacy in nineteenth-century Canadian literature.
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Subject Terms
Burrows Willcocks Arthur Sleigh
Writer
- Born: 1821
- Birthplace: Quebec, Canada
- Died: March 22, 1869
- Place of death: Chelsea, England
Biography
Burrows Willcocks Arthur Sleigh was born during the year 1821 near the St. Lawrence River in the Lower Canada region of Quebec. His parents were Dr. William Willcocks Sleigh, a surgeon, and Sarah Campbell Sleigh. His father received several patents and wrote publications discussing religion and Canadian issues. Sleigh’s family sailed to England in 1823, and Sleigh attended schools there. By the time he was thirteen, Sleigh continued his education in Lower Canada.
Army records state that Sleigh enlisted for service as an ensign in the British army with the Second West India Regiment around 1842. He served in Jamaica. Two years later, Sleigh purchased the rank of lieutenant. By 1845, he secured a position in the 77th Regiment of Foot, which transferred from East Middlesex to Jamaica. Sleigh relocated with that unit first to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then to Quebec during the next year.
Sleigh began writing to alleviate boredom while serving at military posts. He published his only novel, The Outcast Prophet, in 1847. His book emphasized merits of military service and sentimentalized its people and traditions. Tired of that lifestyle, Sleigh chose to leave the military, selling his commission. By June, 1848, he initially settled in England before deciding that he preferred Canada. Choosing to reside in King’s County on Prince Edward Island, Sleigh bought approximately 100,000 acres.
Sleigh frequently enjoyed visiting nearby Halifax, which he considered more genteel, for business and entertainment. He journeyed through the United States during 1851, establishing a steamboat route between Quebec and New York the next year and purchasing the Albatross. Steep marine insurance fees prevented Sleigh’s steamship endeavor from accruing profits.
Selling his Canadian properties, Sleigh decided to try living in England again and resumed writing. By 1853, he published his memoir, Pine Forests and Hacmatack Clearings: Or, Travel, Life, and Adventure in the British North American Provinces, asserting the need for a central position of a Canadian royal governor to protect Great Britain’s control of it colonies. He also encouraged developing an aristocratic social class. Officials disregarded Sleigh’s suggestions.
In 1853, Sleigh pursued publishing as a career. He briefly published the British Army Dispatch before selling that periodical. Sleigh then published the Daily Telegraph in 1855, selling it after he suffered debt. An unsuccessful candidate for a House of Commons seat, Sleigh invested in three unsuccessful campaigns before quitting due to bankruptcy in 1857. After living in seclusion for more than a decade, Sleigh died on March 22, 1869, in Chelsea, England.
Scholars noted that Sleigh’s fictional writing style was hindered by ineffective narrative and poor plot development. In fact, Sleigh occasionally became confused by his intricate plotting, resulting in character and scene inconsistencies and implausible resolutions. He was most skilled at creating settings and intriguing characters and conflicts. Sleigh’s dramatic storytelling is best in his nonfiction, such as his detailed account of the hazardous trip he survived in a boat traveling across an icy strait in March, 1852. Scholars consider his voice significant in the development of nineteenth century Canadian literature.