James Evans (January 18, 1801 – November 23, 1846) was an English-Canadian Wesleyan Methodistmissionary and amateur linguist. He is known for creating the "syllabic" writing system for Ojibwe and Cree, which was later adapted to other languages such as Inuktitut.[1]
Evans was born in Kingston-upon-Hull in England, but emigrated with his parents to Lower Canada in 1822,[2] where he worked as a teacher. He later moved to Rice Lake and continued his teaching work.
Teaching Indigenous Canadians his system
In 1833 he was ordained as a Wesleyan Methodist minister, and in 1840 he was given authority over the local district in Norway House in Manitoba. During this time Evans worked on the development of the Ojibwe and Cree scripts. Evans had picked up Ojibwe during his work among the people in Upper Canada. He created the Ojibwe script after first trying to apply a Roman script to their language. Later, he modified syllabics slightly and applied it to Cree, a related language. The syllabic writing system was inspired in part by Pitman Shorthand. They were easy to learn and led to almost universal literacy among the Canadian Ojibwe and Cree within a few years.[citation needed]
Evans's other missionary work was scarred by turmoil. Evans clashed several times with the Hudson's Bay Company, mostly over their treatment of the native population. Evans accidentally shot and killed his friend and co-worker Thomas Hassall in 1844. He was accused of sexual misconduct with native girls under his care. This was proven to be a ploy by the church to discredit and incarcerate Evans, due to his unwavering dedication in helping the native people.[citation needed] Although he was acquitted, he was sent to London to defend himself again. The stress took a toll on his health, and he died of a heart attack in 1846. His daughter Clarissa Eugenia later married the HBC trapper and explorer John McLean, who became active in the Methodist community of Guelph, Canada West (now Ontario).[citation needed]
James Evans's grave was in England, but his remains were cremated and sent to Norway House, Manitoba.[citation needed]
^Murdoch, John (12 August 2013). "A Serious Read on Syllabics: The M.Ed Thesis of John Murdoch". Cree Literacy Network. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
^"Biography – EVANS, JAMES – Volume VII (1836-1850) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". www.biographi.ca.
Bibliography
Landon, Fred (1930). "Selections From the Papers of James Evans, Missionary to the Indians". Ontario Historical Society. Toronto. XXVI: 474–491..
Landon, Fred (1932). "Letters of Rev. James Evans, Methodist missionary, written during his journey to and residence in the Lake Superior region". Ontario Historical Society. Toronto. XXVIII: 47–70..
McLean, John (1890), James Evans: Inventor of the Syllabic System of the Cree Language, Toronto: Methodist Mission Rooms.
External links
Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
The James Evans Collection at the Victoria University Library at the University of Toronto
January 08, 2023
james, evans, linguist, james, evans, january, 1801, november, 1846, english, canadian, wesleyan, methodist, missionary, amateur, linguist, known, creating, syllabic, writing, system, ojibwe, cree, which, later, adapted, other, languages, such, inuktitut, jame. James Evans January 18 1801 November 23 1846 was an English Canadian Wesleyan Methodist missionary and amateur linguist He is known for creating the syllabic writing system for Ojibwe and Cree which was later adapted to other languages such as Inuktitut 1 James EvansJames EvansBorn 1801 01 18 January 18 1801Kingston upon Hull EnglandDiedNovember 23 1846 1846 11 23 aged 45 London EnglandResting placeNorway House Manitoba CanadaNationalityEnglish CanadianOccupation s Methodist missionary linguistKnown forCreator of the Canadian Aboriginal syllabics system for the Ojibwe language and the Cree Language and later adopted by Inuktitut Contents 1 Life 2 See also 3 References 3 1 Citations 3 2 Bibliography 4 External linksLife EditEvans was born in Kingston upon Hull in England but emigrated with his parents to Lower Canada in 1822 2 where he worked as a teacher He later moved to Rice Lake and continued his teaching work Teaching Indigenous Canadians his system In 1833 he was ordained as a Wesleyan Methodist minister and in 1840 he was given authority over the local district in Norway House in Manitoba During this time Evans worked on the development of the Ojibwe and Cree scripts Evans had picked up Ojibwe during his work among the people in Upper Canada He created the Ojibwe script after first trying to apply a Roman script to their language Later he modified syllabics slightly and applied it to Cree a related language The syllabic writing system was inspired in part by Pitman Shorthand They were easy to learn and led to almost universal literacy among the Canadian Ojibwe and Cree within a few years citation needed Evans s other missionary work was scarred by turmoil Evans clashed several times with the Hudson s Bay Company mostly over their treatment of the native population Evans accidentally shot and killed his friend and co worker Thomas Hassall in 1844 He was accused of sexual misconduct with native girls under his care This was proven to be a ploy by the church to discredit and incarcerate Evans due to his unwavering dedication in helping the native people citation needed Although he was acquitted he was sent to London to defend himself again The stress took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack in 1846 His daughter Clarissa Eugenia later married the HBC trapper and explorer John McLean who became active in the Methodist community of Guelph Canada West now Ontario citation needed James Evans s grave was in England but his remains were cremated and sent to Norway House Manitoba citation needed See also EditOther people named James EvansReferences EditCitations Edit Murdoch John 12 August 2013 A Serious Read on Syllabics The M Ed Thesis of John Murdoch Cree Literacy Network Retrieved 7 March 2019 Biography EVANS JAMES Volume VII 1836 1850 Dictionary of Canadian Biography www biographi ca Bibliography Edit Landon Fred 1930 Selections From the Papers of James Evans Missionary to the Indians Ontario Historical Society Toronto XXVI 474 491 Landon Fred 1932 Letters of Rev James Evans Methodist missionary written during his journey to and residence in the Lake Superior region Ontario Historical Society Toronto XXVIII 47 70 McLean John 1890 James Evans Inventor of the Syllabic System of the Cree Language Toronto Methodist Mission Rooms External links EditBiography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online The James Evans Collection at the Victoria University Library at the University of Toronto Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Evans linguist amp oldid 1128935908, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
