Canary in a coal mine

Posted by JM Goethals on November 27, 2001

I know the meaning of the phrase, "canary in a coal mine", but I'm looking for the origin -- specifically, first usage (date, by whom, where?). Does anyone have any insights?

• canary in a coal mine ESC 11/28/01
  • Link to canary photo R. Berg 11/28/01
• canary in a coal mine Taffy Jones 11/27/01