Madelaine Drohan
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mdrohan.bsky.social
Madelaine Drohan
@mdrohan.bsky.social
200 followers 160 following 190 posts
Author of He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada, out September 30, 2025. Writer. Former foreign correspondent. Senior fellow GSPIA, University of Ottawa. Curious about how the world works.
Visit my website: madelainedrohan.org
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mdrohan.bsky.social
Yet success seemed within the Americans’ grasp on Nov. 11, 1775. Troops led by the rebel general, Richard Montgomery, had finally taken Fort St. Jean on the Richelieu River and were nearing the gates of Montreal.
This is an old-fashioned etching showing the walled city of Montreal in 1760. Most of the large buildings, which appear to be churches, are behind the high stone walls. There are a few smaller buildings outside the walls.
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD 250 years ago, Canadians were at war with American invaders and each other. American colonists had exported their civil war north, enticing some Canadians to fight with them against the British. Others fought to defend the imperial power. It was a divisive invasion that ultimately failed.
This is an old-fashioned engraving in black and white of Sir Guy Carleton, dated 1782. Carleton is dressed in a military uniform. Most of his hair is tied back with a bow. He is looking to the side of the image. Below the image the text says "Sir Guy Carleton, From a London print dated 1782."
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Had a really enjoyable evening discussing my book with the Friends of Lifelong Learning at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa. What a great group!
#cdahistory #cdaus #hedidnotconquer
Woman with grey hair and glasses wearing a red sweater stands beside a screen showing the cover of the book He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Below the screen is a marble fireplace.
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I really enjoyed giving a talk on my book today at the Atwater Library in Montreal. A special thanks to those who came out despite the transit strike.
@dundurnpress.bsky.social #cdahist #cdaus #hedidnotconquer
Woman with grey hair and glasses standing in front of a podium at the Atwater Library in Montreal. In the background is a map from 1560 with the word Canada circled. Photo credit: Patricia Poirier Woman with grey hair and glasses signing a book. In the foreground is the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.
November 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Had a great time at the Toronto launch of my book at Ben McNally Books. My thanks to Meghan Macdonald of @dundurnpress.bsky.social for kicking things off, Rupert and Danielle McNally for hosting, and to all the friends and book lovers who came.
#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdapoli
Female author with grey hair and glasses, wearing a red jacket, signing a book in a book store. A crowd in a book store for an event. Female author wearing a red jacket is speaking to a man with white hair before a wall of bookshelves. Others are listening to the conversation.
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I’m looking forward to speaking at the Atwater Library at 12:30 pm on November 6. Montreal plays a big part in the story I tell about Benjamin Franklin wanting to annex Canada. He set the stage for Donald Trump. My book is published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social
#hedidnotconquer #cdahist #cdaus
Ad for a talk by Madelaine Drohan about her book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada, at the Atwater Library in Montreal on Nov. 6 at 12:30. There is a photo of the author on the left. She has short grey hair, wears glasses, and is smiling. There is a photo of the book cover on the right. The title is superimposed on a portrait of Franklin, who appears to be frowning. Below the images is text giving the details of the event.
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Before Donald Trump in 2025, before James Madison in 1812, Benjamin Franklin had designs on Canada. Find out how Franklin, a scientist, diplomat, trend setter, and writer of fake news, set the stage for Donald Trump.
This is an invitation to a book launch. On the left is an image of the book cover. The title is: He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada. And the author is Madelaine Drohan. The words are superimposed on a portrait that show Franklin frowning. On the right are the details of the launch, which takes place between 5-7 pm at Ben McNally Books, at 108 Queen Street East, Toronto. The author will give remarks at 5:45 pm.
October 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
“What think you of a North American Monarchy?” John Adams, one of the founding fathers, asked a friend in October 1775. “Suppose We should appoint a Continental King, and a Continental House of Lords, and a Continental House of Commons, to be annually, or triennially or Septennially elected?”
An old-fashioned, sepia-toned image of John Adams. There is an ornate frame around the image. Adams is balding and is wearing a dark jacket with a high collar and a white neck cloth. The words below the image note he was president of the United States.
October 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Did Benjamin Franklin’s failure to annex Canada set the stage for Donald Trump and his talk of the 51st state? I’ll be discussing that and other questions at a Canadian International Council meeting Oct. 21. Open to the public (see poster for details).
#cdaus #cdapoli #cdahist #hedidnotconquer
This is a poster for an October 21st event at the national capital branch (Ottawa) of the Canadian International Council. It shows a photo of the speaker, Madelaine Drohan, and a photo of the moderator, Melanie Walker. It also shows the cover of Madelaine Drohan’s book, which is called He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. It gives the details of where the event will take place: 150 Elgin Street, suite 1800, Ottawa, and the time 6:30pm.
October 18, 2025 at 1:22 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
It was standing room only tonight at the Ottawa launch of A Capital Mystery, an anthology of crime stories set in Canada’s capital. So proud of my friend, Nancy Pawlek, and her short story, The Incident in Bytown.
#mystery #books #Ottawa #crimewriters #canada
The cover of a book called A Capital Mystery. It shows the Peace Tower in the centre block of Ottawa’s parliament buildings. High up in the tower is a silhouette of a woman holding a gun. Facing the tower is a man in a trench coat and fedora, seen from behind. He too is holding a gun.
October 17, 2025 at 12:16 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Dropped into #Indigo at the Rideau Centre today. No matter how many books you write, it is a good feeling the first time you see copies on display.
#hedidnotconquer @dundurnpress.bsky.social #cdaus #cdahist
Woman standing in a book store, smiling, holding two copies of the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. She is wearing a blue raincoat. There is a table piled with books beside her.
October 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Having a book signing at a pool is slightly unconventional. But book lovers can be found everywhere!

#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdahist #dundurnpress
This is a photo of a book signing at an indoor pool. The author is sitting at a picnic table, with a pen in her hand. She is talking to a man sitting beside her. Two other swimmers, a man and a woman wearing swimming costumes, are standing to her left, listening.
October 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I had a wonderful time at the official launch of He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come. I am happy to report there was no cake left! A good, Canadian crowd!

#HeDidNotConquer #cdaUS #cdaHist #Dundurn
Woman in pink shirt addresses a group of people at a book launch in the cafe of the Ottawa Art Gallery. This photo shows the top of a cake. The design on the cake is of a beaver, showing its teeth and looking aggressive. It is standing on top of an angry-looking eagle. A woman in a pink top is signing a book for a woman who is smiling at her. A man is selling copies of the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada. A customer has a book in his hand and is about to pay. The banner behind the table reads The Spaniel's Tale Bookstore.
October 1, 2025 at 9:37 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD Sept 25, 1775, citizens of Montreal, including French Canadians and British merchants, repelled an attack by American invaders. The aggressors, who numbered less than 100, included some Canadians who had been promised 15 pence a day plus a share of the booty when they plundered Montreal.
A black and white engraving showing Ethan Allen, a colonel in the American Revolution, conferring with members of the Green Mountain Boys. Allen is pointing to something on the table. The six other men are seated or standing around the table and listening to him. No one is wearing a uniform.
September 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
But Canadians refused. They had been left in the lurch when France refused to honour the full value of its paper currency after its 1760 defeat by British and colonial forces.
The Americans were plagued with money woes throughout their ill-fated invasion.
#HeDidNotConquer
This is an image of a bill worth $3 in continental currency. It has an image of an eagle attacking a crane. The crane's bill has pierced the breast of the eagle. The bill has an ornate border and is yellowed with age. It was issued in 1776.
September 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
The invaders had assumed that Canadians would accept a new paper currency issued by Congress, with its images of harps, wild boars, eagles, and even a beaver gnawing at a tree (the beaver was meant to symbolize the rebels, the tree Britain).
This is an image of a $4 bill in continental currency, issued in 1775. It has the image of a boar in a circle. The boar was supposed to be inoffensive when left to itself, but dangerous when provoked. The border of the bill is ornate. The bill is yellowed with age.
September 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD September 19, 1775, rebel leader Philip Schuyler wrote the Continental Congress begging for money. “Where shall I get gold and silver to pay for necessaries for the Army? Paper, of any kind, not having the least currency in Canada.”
This is an image of $8 in continental currency, issued in 1775. It has an image of a harp in a circle. The strings are meant to represent the 13 colonies, held together by the frame of the harp. The border is ornate. The bill is yellowed with age.
September 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
The American invasion of Canada in 1775 ran into financial difficulties within the first month. Some Canadians were willing to sell the invaders food, but only in exchange for cold, hard cash.

#HeDidNotConquer #cdaUS #cdaHist #Dundurn #skystorians
This is an image of a $6 bill in continental currency. It features an image of a beaver gnawing at a tree. It says the bearer is entitled to receive six Spanish milled dollars or the value of that in gold according to the resolutions of the United States Congress. It is dated May 1775 and was printed in Philadelphia. It has an ornate border. The beaver and tree image has the word Perserverando (Perseverence) over the top.
September 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD Sept. 14, 1775, George Washington opened a second front in the invasion of Canada, instructing Colonel Benedict Arnold to lead 1,000 men up the Kennebec River to attack Quebec City. The seat of power in the British colony was vulnerable.
A coloured map showing the invasion routes into Canada taken by soldiers in the continental army in 1775. One route goes up Lake Champlain to Montreal. The other goes up the Kennebec River to Quebec City. The map is from the US Army Center of Military History.
September 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD Sept. 6, 1775, American invaders led by General Philip Schuyler approached the British-held Fort St. Jean on the Richelieu River and were fired upon from the fort and attacked on the ground by Mohawks and other First Nations. This was not the welcome they had anticipated. . . .
This is a coloured sketch of the fortifications built by the British in 1775 at Fort St. Jean on the Richelieu River. There are written explanations at the top and bottom of the sketch.
September 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Today marks a key event in Canada-US relations that few Canadians and probably even fewer Americans have heard about. #OTD Sept. 4, 1775, troops from the 13 colonies invaded Canada, a British colony also called the Province of Quebec.

#HeDidNotConquer #cdaUS #cdaHist #Canada250 #BenjaminFranklin
A map from the 1770s slowing the tip of Lake Champlain and the start of the Richelieu River to the north. The map has a line showing the border between the Province of Quebec, also known as Canada, and the Province of New York. The border runs along the 45th parallel. There is a red circle around the Isle of Noix, which is well to the north of the border. The map is coloured, with the waters of the lake and the river shown in green. The border is yellow on the Canadian side and red on the American side.
September 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD August 27, 1775, the American general preparing to invade Canada told George Washington that the Six Nations (Haudenosaunee Confederacy) would remain neutral during the invasion. They think it is “a family quarrel” and do not want to interfere, wrote General Philip Schuyler.
A coloured portrait of Joseph Brant, the Mohawk military leader who sided with the British during the American Revolution. He is wearing a feathered headdress, a while European-style shirt, and has green and red belts around his waist.
August 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
“Now, Sir, is the time to carry Canada. It may be done with great ease and little cost, and I have no doubt but the Canadians would join us.” It was bad intelligence.

#HeDidNotConquer #cdaUS #cdapoli #Canada250
#skystorians
This is the elaborate cartouche on the 1777 map called "A Map of the Inhabited Parts of Canada." The cartouche has fir and pine trees at the top. At the bottom are two Europeans trading with a male indigenous person, who appears to be handing them a fur pelt.
August 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD Aug 14, 1775, American spy John Brown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, reported on his latest mission to Canada. The French Canadians longed for the American army to invade, Brown told his superiors....
#HeDidNotConquer #cdaUS #cdapoli #Canada250
#skystorians
This is a segment of a 1777 map showing the border between the colony of New York and the colony of Canada. Montreal is near the top of the map, Lake Champlain is near the bottom, almost directly south of Montreal. The map is coloured. The border is a red line that crosses through the very top of Lake Champlain.
August 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
It's a wonderful feeling when 5 years of research and writing comes to fruition. The thought that immediately follows is that the work is not done because you now have to promote it. I am grateful for all the help I received along the way.

#HeDidNotConquer #Dundurn #cdaUS #cdnpoli #Canada250
Photo of author Madelaine Drohan holding a copy of her new book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada. There is a box full of author's copies of the book in front of her. She has short, gray hair and glasses and is smiling.
August 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM