David Breakenridge Read
Encyclopedia
David Breakenridge Read (13 June 1823 – 11 May 1904) was a Canadian
lawyer, educator, author, and Mayor of Toronto in 1858. Read was Mayor of Toronto
from November 11, 1858 to December 31, 1858. He served a mere 50 fifty days, thus making him the shortest serving Mayor
of that city.
Born in Merrickville, Ontario
, the sixth child of John Landon Read [1789-??] and Janet Breakenridge [1795-1832]. Read was educated in Brockville
, and, at the age of thirteen, was accepted into Toronto's Upper Canada College
. Four years later, 1840, he was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada
. Read began his law articles while working for George Sherwood in Brockville. His studies were finished with John Ross in Belleville and then John Willoughby Crawford in Toronto. Read was admitted into the bar in 1845.He then began a law practice which became successful.In 1845 he served as Barrister at Law.
He married Emily Ballard, born 1827, daughter of Norman Ballard. The couple had seven children.
In November 1855, he was elected a Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada. The next year,Read was appointed by Attorney General John A.MacDonald to a commission to revise the statutes of Upper Canada. Read served as a junior commissoner and was the commission's secretary. Read was elected Mayor of Toronto on November 11, 1858 after his successor, William Henry Boulton
, announced his resignation. He served in that post until December 31 of that year, when Adam Wilson was elected to take that post.
Read continued to serve in the Law Society until his retirement in April 1881 at the age of 55. In November 1902, at the age of 79, Read suffered a stroke that would leave him bedridden for the final year and half until his death. He died on May 11, 1904, and was buried among many of his colleagues in a private funeral at St. James Cemetery in Toronto.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
lawyer, educator, author, and Mayor of Toronto in 1858. Read was Mayor of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
from November 11, 1858 to December 31, 1858. He served a mere 50 fifty days, thus making him the shortest serving Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of that city.
Born in Merrickville, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, the sixth child of John Landon Read [1789-??] and Janet Breakenridge [1795-1832]. Read was educated in Brockville
Brockville, Ontario
Brockville is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Though it serves as the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Brockville is politically independent and is grouped with Leeds and Grenville for census purposes only.Known as the "City of the 1000...
, and, at the age of thirteen, was accepted into Toronto's Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
. Four years later, 1840, he was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada
Law Society of Upper Canada
The Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada"...
. Read began his law articles while working for George Sherwood in Brockville. His studies were finished with John Ross in Belleville and then John Willoughby Crawford in Toronto. Read was admitted into the bar in 1845.He then began a law practice which became successful.In 1845 he served as Barrister at Law.
He married Emily Ballard, born 1827, daughter of Norman Ballard. The couple had seven children.
In November 1855, he was elected a Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada. The next year,Read was appointed by Attorney General John A.MacDonald to a commission to revise the statutes of Upper Canada. Read served as a junior commissoner and was the commission's secretary. Read was elected Mayor of Toronto on November 11, 1858 after his successor, William Henry Boulton
William Henry Boulton
William Henry Boulton was a lawyer and political figure in Canada West. He served as mayor of Toronto from 1845 to 1847 and in 1858. Boulton died in Toronto in 1874....
, announced his resignation. He served in that post until December 31 of that year, when Adam Wilson was elected to take that post.
Read continued to serve in the Law Society until his retirement in April 1881 at the age of 55. In November 1902, at the age of 79, Read suffered a stroke that would leave him bedridden for the final year and half until his death. He died on May 11, 1904, and was buried among many of his colleagues in a private funeral at St. James Cemetery in Toronto.