
Drawing of Thomas Cowherd (1817-1907). Courtesy Full Online Books.
Thomas C. Cowherd (March 20, 1817 - April 4, 1907) was a Canadian poet who worked as a tinsmith.
Life[]
Cowherd was born in Kendal, Westmorland, England. He apprenticed as a tinsmith from age 13 to 20 in England. His family immigrated to Canada in 1837. Cowherd eventually settled on Colborne Street in Brantford, Ontario.
He was president of the Brantford Branch Bible Society, president of the Brantford Mechanic's Institute and Literary Association, and a school trustee, and was elected as a town councillor in 1869.
He was a prolific poet and song writer. Much of his poetry appeared in newspapers. A collection, The Emigrant Mechanic, and other tales in verse; together with numerous songs Upon Canadian subjects, was published in 1884.
His 1st marriage, to Ann Batty, produced 5 children. After her death, his 2nd marriage, to Ann's sister Ellen, produced 11 more children.
The Cowherd family were friends and associates of Alexander Graham Bell. Bell used the tinsmithing services of the Cowherds to help produce prototypes for the telephone, and to open the world's first telephone factory. He also called on them to string wire and to assist in demonstrations. Cowherd spent many hours speaking with Bell on the telephone between the Cowherd home in Brantford and the Bell Homestead.

Cowherd died in Chatham, Ontario.
Publications[]
- The Emigrant Mechanic, and other tales in verse; together with numerous songs upon Canadian subjects. Brantford, ON: privately published / Jackson City, MI: Daily Citizen, 1884.[1]
Fire Song (Thomas Cowherd Poem)
See also[]
References[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The Emigrant Mechanic and other tales in verse together with numerous songs upon Canadian subjects (1884), Internet Archive. July 27, 2013.
External links[]
- Poems
- Thomas Cowherd at PoemHunter (98 poems)
- Thomas Cowherd at Poetry Nook (121 poems)
- Books
- Works by Thomas Cowherd at Project Gutenberg
- Thomas Cowherd at Amazon.ca
- About
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