John Ewart (architect)
Encyclopedia
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 (Toronto
) in Upper Canada
a few years later. He built a hospital and then the town's first Roman Catholic
church, St. Paul's. In 1818, he built the parliament building for Upper Canada at York. In 1824, he designed the courthouse and jail for the Home District and, in 1827-1831, the two story castellated-style courthouse for the London District, Ontario. He was one of the overseers for the construction of the new parliament building after the original building burned in 1824. In 1829, he prepared the design for the original Osgoode Hall
; some remodelling and additions occurred later. He continued to operate a building yard and was a director on the boards of several institutions in the city after 1830, although he had retired as an architect.
His daughter, Jane, was wife of Sir Oliver Mowat
and his son, Thomas Ewart was married to Catherine Seaton Skirving
, a noted philanthropist.
He died in Toronto in 1856 of gangrene
, brought on by arteriosclerosis
.
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...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and businessman.
He was born in Tranent
Tranent
Tranent is a town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the A1 road and approximately east of Edinburgh. It is one of the oldest towns in East Lothian, and built on a gentle slope, about 300 feet above sea level.Population of the town is 9,917....
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1788. After completing his apprenticeship in building, he moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
around 1811. In 1816, he emigrated to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and moved to 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 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...
a few years later. He built a hospital and then the town's first Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
church, St. Paul's. In 1818, he built the parliament building for Upper Canada at York. In 1824, he designed the courthouse and jail for the Home District and, in 1827-1831, the two story castellated-style courthouse for the London District, Ontario. He was one of the overseers for the construction of the new parliament building after the original building burned in 1824. In 1829, he prepared the design for the original 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...
; some remodelling and additions occurred later. He continued to operate a building yard and was a director on the boards of several institutions in the city after 1830, although he had retired as an architect.
His daughter, Jane, was wife of Sir Oliver Mowat
Oliver Mowat
Sir Oliver Mowat, was a Canadian politician, and the third Premier of Ontario from 1872 to 1896, making him the longest serving premier of that province and the 3rd longest in all of Canadian history...
and his son, Thomas Ewart was married to Catherine Seaton Skirving
Catherine Seaton Skirving
Catherine Seaton Skirving , , was a noted Canadian philanthropist and volunteer. She was born in Musselburgh, Scotland and arrived in Upper Canada with her family in 1833....
, a noted philanthropist.
He died in Toronto in 1856 of gangrene
Gangrene
Gangrene is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when a considerable mass of body tissue dies . This may occur after an injury or infection, or in people suffering from any chronic health problem affecting blood circulation. The primary cause of gangrene is reduced blood...
, brought on by arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
.
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/William Warren Baldwin William Warren Baldwin William Warren Baldwin was a doctor, businessman, lawyer, judge, architect and political figure in Upper Canada.... (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, Toronto, Ontario |  |
| Middlesex County Courthouse (London District) | 1831 | John Ewart | Castlellated-style | 2 | on the River Thames, Westminster, London, Ontario |  |
| Bank of Upper Canada Building Bank of Upper Canada Building The Bank of Upper Canada Building, built by John Ewart , is one of the oldest financial service buildings in Toronto, Canada. Built in 1827-34, it housed the Bank of Upper Canada until the bank's collapse in 1866. It is located at 252 Adelaide Street East... |
John Ewart | 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... |
2 | Adelaide, Toronto, Ontario |  |