Baldwin, Robert National Historic Person
Toronto, Ontario
Robert Baldwin, 1851
© Library and Archives Canada | Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1933-261
Address :
1 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1937-05-20
Life Date:
1804 to 1858
Other Name(s):
-
Baldwin, Robert
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Reformer, co-premier of Province of Canada (1842-43, 1848-51), achieved responsible government
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 1 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario
Born in Toronto, Baldwin devoted his political career to a single cause. As a member of the Assembly (1829-30 and 1841-51), as Executive Councillor (1841), as Solicitor General (1840-1), and as Co-premier (1842-3 and 1848-51), he remained true to his vision until the second Baldwin-LaFontaine Administration established the principle of Responsible Government in Canada. That ministry also passed the Rebellion Losses Bill and laid the foundation of the municipal system in Ontario. Tired by the struggle, sick, and unsympathetic to a rising tide of radicalism, he resigned in 1851. He died at Toronto.