David McCurdy was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...

, Canada. He represented Victoria County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly

Nova Scotia House of Assembly

The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...

 from 1873 to 1878 as a Liberal

Liberal Party of Nova Scotia

The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is a political party in Nova Scotia, Canada.-Origins:The party is descended from the pre-Confederation Reformers in Nova Scotia who coalesced around Joseph Howe demanding the institution of responsible government...

 member.

He was born in Onslow, Nova Scotia

Onslow, Nova Scotia

Onslow is a small, unincorporated, Canadian rural community in central Colchester County, Nova Scotia. The community is located along the north bank of the Salmon River, opposite the town of Truro and is largely a farming area...

, the son of James McCurdy and Agnes Archibald. His mother was the daughter of Matthew Archibald

Matthew Archibald

Matthew Archibald was an Irish-born farmer, tanner and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Truro township in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1785 to 1799....

, who had earlier served in the provincial assembly. McCurdy married Mary Archibald in 1832. He moved to Baddeck

Baddeck, Nova Scotia

Baddeck is a Canadian village in Victoria County, Nova Scotia.It is the county's shire town and is situated on the northern shore of Bras d'Or Lake on Cape Breton Island...

 in 1865. McCurdy ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1871 and was then elected in an 1873 by-election held after Charles James Campbell

Charles James Campbell

Charles James Campbell was a Scottish-born merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Victoria in the Canadian House of Commons from 1874 to 1875, from 1876 to 1878 and from 1882 to 1887 as a Conservative member.He was born on the Isle of Skye, the son of John Campbell...

 was named to the Legislative Council. He was elected again in the general election that followed in 1874. In 1878, McCurdy was named to the province's Legislative Council

Legislative Council of Nova Scotia

The Legislative Council of Nova Scotia was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It existed from 1838 to May 31, 1928...

. He died in Baddeck at the age of 94.

His son William

William F. McCurdy

William Fraser McCurdy was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Victoria County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1878 to 1886 as a Liberal member....

 also served in the provincial assembly and his son Arthur

Arthur Williams McCurdy

Arthur Williams McCurdy was a Canadian businessman, inventor and astronomer.He was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, the son of David McCurdy and Mary Archibald. He moved to Baddeck with his family at the age of nine and was educated there and at Whitby, Ontario. He returned to Baddeck, where he entered...

became an inventor and astronomer.