George Brown (1818-1880)

George Brown

George Brown 1818-1880

Honourable George Brown 1818-1880

George Brown

There are five plaques about this gentleman.
All can be seen on this page.

Photo by contributor Colin Old - Posted April, 2012

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

Photo by contributor Colin Old - Posted April, 2012

On the south side of this house in which George Brown lived, on the northwest corner of Beverley and Baldwin Streets, is an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.655740 -79.394980

In 1844, this future Father of Confederation founded The Globe, an influential newspaper that gave him a powerful platform for his political, social, and religious views. A fierce advocate of reform and liberalism, George Brown entered Parliament in 1851 and rose to head the reorganized "Clear Grit" party. In 1864 he was a key figure in the Great Coalition that made Confederation possible. He also played a central role in the Abolitionist movement, co-founding the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada. After leaving government in 1865, Brown remained a vital force in the emerging Liberal Party of Canada.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

Also on the south side of the house is this blue Parks Canada plaque. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.655740 -79.394980

George Brown, Father of Confederation and champion of the anti-slavery movement.

George Brown was a political activist who fought to ensure that slavery was abolished in North America. During the 1840's and 1850s, Brown used his newspaper The Globe (which became the Globe & Mail) to publish articles and editorials attacking the institution of slavery in the southern United States. As a result of the United States government passing the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, thousands of African Americans fled to Canada. This law allowed slave owners to arrest both runaway Blacks and even free African Americans anywhere in the country with little legal recourse for the accused. In response, Brown became a major force in founding the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada. The Society fought to end slavery in North America while individual members helped freedom-seekers reach Canada via the Underground Railway. As a consequence, the African Canadian community enthusiastically supported his electoral ambitions.

Brown was encouraged in his abolitionist politics by his father, Peter Brown. His sister, Isabella Henning was a founder of the Ladies Society to Aid Fugitive Slaves and her husband, Thomas Henning, was Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada.

Photos by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted February, 2012

On the north side of King Street, a block and a half east of Jarvis Street stands George Brown College. To the right of the doors can be seen this 2009 plaque. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.650952 -79.370121

An outspoken journalist, politician, reformer, active citizen and defender of public education, George Brown's life exemplified his passionate commitment to the values of freedom and inclusion.

George Brown was born in Scotland and settled in Toronto in 1843. The following year he founded the Globe, a leading reform newspaper (now The Globe and Mail). From its editorial pages he spoke out tirelessly on issues of the day, including slavery. He was a leader in founding the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada, which campaigned to abolish slavery in North America and helped escaped slaves establish themselves in Canada.

Brown was a friend to many in the city's African Canadian population. Once, he was saved from a serious accident by William Hubbard, a Toronto baker and son of a former slave. George Brown encouraged his rescuer's political ability and Hubbard went on to become Toronto's first African Canadian deputy mayor.

A member of Parliament in the 1850's and 60's, George Brown was a "Father of Confederation," credited with uniting the factions that came together to form the new country of Canada in 1867. A century later, inspired by his vision of citizenship and his role in shaping the future of the city, the Ontario Government named the new institution of George Brown College after him.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

The plaque at the base of this statue at Queen's Park has this to say:

Plaque coordinates: 43.662058 -79.391456

Born near Edinburgh, Scotland, Brown emigrated with his father to New York in 1837. In 1843 he moved to Toronto and the following year founded the "the Globe" newspaper which achieved great political influence. Elected to the Legislature as a Reform member in 1851, Brown became a leader of his party in Canada West. In 1858, with A.A. Dorion, he formed a short-lived government. In 1864 he entered the "Great Coalition" government with his adversary, John A. Macdonald, and played a leading part at the Quebec Conference which led to the establishment of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Appointed to the Senate in 1873, Brown remained interested in politics until his death.

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2009

This plaque, inside the Toronto Necropolis cemetery attached to a small rock, to your left when you're through the gate, has this to say:

Plaque coordinates: 43.667646 -79.362059

George Brown, a Scottish immigrant, founded The Globe. Through his newspaper he exerted a very great influence on the early development of Canada. He was the architect of the Reform Party, which later became the Liberal Party. Both as a journalist and as a politician he spoke out for responsible government and freedom of the individual. He was elected to the Parliament of the Province of Canada in 1851 and some years later, as leader of the Liberal Party, he entered into a coalition with John A. Macdonald of the Conservatives to proceed with the confederation of the Canadian provinces.

Related Ontario plaque
Honourable George Brown 1818-1880

More
Public Service

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted May 31, 2011
The federal plaque reflects George Brown's designation as a "national historic person". It's placed next to his house, which is separately designated a national historic site. But there is no plaque for the site, only the person, despite the house being a NHS since 1976. The house is available to rent for group events, but is sadly closed to the public most of the time, though it has had an open house one weekend each May, during Doors Open. Upper floors contain offices for various groups. -Wayne

Posted May 20, 2010
Great info. it helped me lots. now i can finish my poster

Posted January 23, 2009
check this guy out if you do he is cool

Posted January 7, 2009
He is a great man and this website is so HELPFUL!!I am truly astonished:)

Posted October 28, 2008
This site gave me tons of info for my George Brown confederation project but i still need more... if anyone has more info could you plz e-mail me at floppity123@hotmail.com anyways i need to know his prized possesions his mothers name and lots more so anyways yahh thx all 3 luv yahh
LAURA

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as the comment is posted, a link to it will appear on the home page in the section "Here are the 10 latest plaque pages with a new comment added by a visitor to this site."