William Warren Baldwin
Encyclopedia
William Warren Baldwin was a doctor, businessman, lawyer, judge, architect and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in County Cork
, Ireland
in 1775. In 1797, he graduated from the medical school at the University of Edinburgh
. In 1798, he came to Upper Canada with his father, Robert Baldwin Sr. He became a lieutenant-colonel in the Durham militia and a justice of the peace. In 1803, he was admitted to the bar and, in 1809, he became a district court judge. He served several terms as treasurer for the Law Society of Upper Canada
.
In 1818, he built a home on the future site of Spadina House
; the house burned down in 1835 and was rebuilt on the same foundations. The current building was built on the original foundations.
In 1820, he was elected to the 8th Parliament of Upper Canada
representing York
& Simcoe
. He represented Norfolk County
in the 10th Parliament
. Baldwin's status as gentleman added legitimacy to the reform policies on responsible government that he supported; he was also a capable speaker.
In 1836, he became a member of the Constitutional Reform Society of Upper Canada. Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head
removed him from his appointments as judge. However, Baldwin, although he supported reform, did not endorse the Upper Canada Rebellion
, preferring to work through lawful means.
In later life, he was content to leave politics to his son, Robert
, who carried on the struggle for responsible government.
He died at Toronto in 1844.
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
He was born in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1775. In 1797, he graduated from the medical school at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. In 1798, he came to Upper Canada with his father, Robert Baldwin Sr. He became a lieutenant-colonel in the Durham militia and a justice of the peace. In 1803, he was admitted to the bar and, in 1809, he became a district court judge. He served several terms as treasurer for 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"...
.
In 1818, he built a home on the future site of Spadina House
Spadina House
Spadina Museum, also called Spadina , is a historic manor on Spadina Road in Toronto, Canada that is now a museum operated by the City of Toronto Cultural Services. The museum preserves the house much as it existed and developed historically...
; the house burned down in 1835 and was rebuilt on the same foundations. The current building was built on the original foundations.
In 1820, he was elected to the 8th Parliament of Upper Canada
8th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 8th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 31 January 1821. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1820. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada and sat in the second Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada...
representing York
York County, Ontario
York County is a historic county in Upper Canada, Canada West, and the Canadian province of Ontario.York County was created in 1792 and was part of the jurisdiction of Home District of Upper Canada...
& Simcoe
Simcoe County, Ontario
Simcoe County is located in central portion of Southern Ontario. The County is situated just north of the Greater Toronto Area stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe in the east to Georgian Bay in the west...
. He represented Norfolk County
Norfolk County, Ontario
Norfolk County is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the north shore of Lake Erie in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Bloomsburg is a small town located in Norfolk County and is the hometown of David Slater. The county seat and largest community is Simcoe...
in the 10th Parliament
10th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 10th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 8 January 1829. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1828. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada...
. Baldwin's status as gentleman added legitimacy to the reform policies on responsible government that he supported; he was also a capable speaker.
In 1836, he became a member of the Constitutional Reform Society of Upper Canada. Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head
Francis Bond Head
Sir Francis Bond Head, 1st Baronet KCH PC , known as "Galloping Head", was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada during the rebellion of 1837.-Biography:...
removed him from his appointments as judge. However, Baldwin, although he supported reform, did not endorse the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
, preferring to work through lawful means.
In later life, he was content to leave politics to his son, Robert
Robert Baldwin
Robert Baldwin was born at York . He, along with his political partner Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine, led the first responsible ministry in Canada, regarded by some as the first truly Canadian government....
, who carried on the struggle for responsible government.
He died at Toronto in 1844.
Works
| Building | Year Completed | Builder | Style | Source | Location | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osgoode Hall Osgoode Hall Osgoode Hall is a landmark building in downtown Toronto constructed between 1829 and 1832 in the late Georgian Palladian and Neoclassical styles. It houses the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court of the Superior Court of Justice, and the Law Society of Upper Canada... |
1832–2005 | John Ewart John Ewart (architect) John Ewart was a Canadian architect and businessman.He was born in Tranent Scotland in 1788. After completing his apprenticeship in building, he moved to London around 1811. In 1816, he emigrated to New York City and moved to York in Upper Canada a few years later... /William Warren Baldwin (1832) |
Palladian Palladian architecture Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio . The term "Palladian" normally refers to buildings in a style inspired by Palladio's own work; that which is recognised as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of... |
4 | 130 Queen Street West |  |