Augustus Warren Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Augustus Warren Baldwin was a naval officer and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born near Lisnagat in County Cork
, Ireland
in 1776 and joined the merchant navy in 1792, eventually being given command of his own ship. He retired to Upper Canada near York (Toronto
) in 1817. He named his estate Russell Hill after his family's farm in Ireland. In 1822, he became a magistrate of the Home District. In 1832, he was appointed to the Legislative Council
for the province. When the Executive Council
resigned to protest actions taken by Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head
, Baldwin accepted an appointment as a new member of the council. In 1841, he was re-appointed to the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada
, but he resigned some time later. He was a director of the Bank of Upper Canada
and the British America Assurance Company. Although retired from the navy, he was promoted to admiral in 1862.
Unlike his brother William Warren Baldwin
and his nephew Robert Baldwin
, Augustus was conservative in his politics.
He died on his estate near Toronto in 1866.
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 near Lisnagat 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 1776 and joined the merchant navy in 1792, eventually being given command of his own ship. He retired to Upper Canada near York (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...
) in 1817. He named his estate Russell Hill after his family's farm in Ireland. In 1822, he became a magistrate of the Home District. In 1832, he was appointed to the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Upper Canada
The Legislative Council of Upper Canada was the upper house governing the province of Upper Canada. Modelled after the British House of Lords, it was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was specified that the council should consist of at least seven members. Members were appointed for...
for the province. When the Executive Council
Executive Council of Upper Canada
The Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
resigned to protest actions taken by 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:...
, Baldwin accepted an appointment as a new member of the council. In 1841, he was re-appointed to the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada
Legislative Council of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Council of the Province of Canada was the upper house for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the province of Ontario...
, but he resigned some time later. He was a director of the Bank of Upper Canada
Bank of Upper Canada
The Bank of Upper Canada was a Canadian bank established in 1821 under a Charter granted by the colony of Upper Canada in 1819. The incorporators were William Allan, Robert C. Horne, John Scarlett, Francis Jackson, William W. Baldwin, Alexander Legge, Thomas Ridout, his son Samuel Ridout, D’Arcy...
and the British America Assurance Company. Although retired from the navy, he was promoted to admiral in 1862.
Unlike his brother William Warren Baldwin
William Warren Baldwin
William Warren Baldwin was a doctor, businessman, lawyer, judge, architect and political figure in Upper Canada....
and his nephew Robert Baldwin
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....
, Augustus was conservative in his politics.
He died on his estate near Toronto in 1866.