George Herchmer Markland
Encyclopedia
George Herchmer Markland (c.
1790 – May 17, 1862) was a political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Kingston
around 1790 and was educated at Cornwall
by John Strachan
. During the War of 1812
, he served with the Frontenac militia. In 1820, he was appointed to the Legislative Council
for the province. In 1822, he became an honorary member of the Executive Council
and was made a regular member 5 years later.
In 1828, Markland became secretary receiver for the corporation which administered the clergy reserve
s as well as registrar for King's College, later the University of Toronto
. He was also involved in the creation of Upper Canada College
. In 1833, he became inspector general of public accounts. He resigned in protest, with others on the Executive Council, in 1836. At this time, Markland was considered to be one of the leading figures in the Family Compact
, the ruling clique of the province's elite.
In 1838, rumours began to circulate regarding improper conduct by Markland; he was alleged to have had liaisons with several young men. The investigation was dropped after Monkland agreed to resign as inspector general. In 1841, there were additional allegations of misappropriation of funds because Markland had used funds from King's College in support of the construction of Upper Canada College; this issue was dropped after John Strachan intervened.
He died at Kingston in 1862.
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1790 – May 17, 1862) was a political figure in Upper Canada
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 Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
around 1790 and was educated at Cornwall
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
by John Strachan
John Strachan
John Strachan was an influential figure in Upper Canada and the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto.-Early life:Strachan was the youngest of six children born to a quarry worker in Aberdeen, Scotland. He graduated from King's College, Aberdeen in 1797...
. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he served with the Frontenac militia. In 1820, 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. In 1822, he became an honorary member of 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...
and was made a regular member 5 years later.
In 1828, Markland became secretary receiver for the corporation which administered the clergy reserve
Clergy reserve
Clergy Reserves were tracts of land in Upper Canada reserved for the support of "Protestant clergy" by the Constitutional Act of 1791 which also established Upper and Lower Canada as distinct regions each with an elected assembly. One-seventh of all Crown lands were set aside...
s as well as registrar for King's College, later the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. He was also involved in the creation of 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...
. In 1833, he became inspector general of public accounts. He resigned in protest, with others on the Executive Council, in 1836. At this time, Markland was considered to be one of the leading figures in the Family Compact
Family Compact
Fully developed after the War of 1812, the Compact lasted until Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1841. In Lower Canada, its equivalent was the Château Clique. The influence of the Family Compact on the government administration at different levels lasted to the 1880s...
, the ruling clique of the province's elite.
In 1838, rumours began to circulate regarding improper conduct by Markland; he was alleged to have had liaisons with several young men. The investigation was dropped after Monkland agreed to resign as inspector general. In 1841, there were additional allegations of misappropriation of funds because Markland had used funds from King's College in support of the construction of Upper Canada College; this issue was dropped after John Strachan intervened.
He died at Kingston in 1862.