Queen’s University War of 1812 expert Jane Errington is available to comment on the 200 year commemoration which kicks off June 18, the day the United States declared war on Britain. It is said Canada would not exist had the American invasion been successful. Commemoration events are taking place across Canada over the next three years.

“Most who lived in present day Ontario considered the War of 1812 an ‘unnatural’ and ‘unnecessary’ war -- and few willingly took up arms in defence of King and the colony,” says Dr. Errington, a history professor who has written and spoken extensively on Upper Canada in the late 18^th and the first half of the 19^th century. Her award-winning book, The Lion, The Eagle and Upper Canada was published in 1985.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or anne.craig@queensu.ca or Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

Follow Queen’s News and Media Services on Twitter: http://twitter.com/QueensuMedia.