author
Sir Francis Bond Head
1793–1875
A restless 19th-century soldier, traveler, and colonial official, he wrote vividly about South America, emigration, and public life. His career took him from the Battle of Waterloo to the turbulent politics of Upper Canada during the rebellion of 1837.
4 Audiobooks
Bubbles from the Brunnens of Nassau By an Old Man.
by Sir Francis Bond Head
The Life and Adventures of Bruce, the African Traveller
by Sir Francis Bond Head
The Horse and His Rider
by Sir Francis Bond Head
About the author
Born in Kent on January 1, 1793, he trained at the Royal Military Academy and served as a Royal Engineers officer, including during the Napoleonic Wars. After leaving the army, he traveled in South America as a mining supervisor, where his fast, demanding journeys helped earn him the nickname "Galloping Head." Those experiences fed the lively travel writing that made him widely known.
He became lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada in 1836, a role that placed him at the center of the political tensions leading up to the rebellion of 1837. His time in office remains one of the most discussed parts of his life, with historians often focusing on his forceful style, his distrust of reform leaders, and the lasting effect of his decisions on colonial politics.
Alongside his public career, he was a prolific author whose books ranged from travel narratives to reflections on government and emigration. He died in Croydon, England, on July 20, 1875, leaving behind a record that is both literary and political.