Alexander Grant (Upper Canada politician): Difference between revisions
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:''For the Principal of the University of Edinburgh, see [[Alexander Grant (University Principal)]].'' |
:''For the Principal of the University of Edinburgh, see [[Alexander Grant (University Principal)]].'' |
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'''Alexander Grant''' ([[May 20]] [[1734]] – [[May 8]] [[1813]]) was a [[Royal Navy]] officer, businessman, and politician in [[Upper Canada]]. Grant entered the Royal Navy in 1755 and saw service in North America, on [[Lake Champlain]], during the [[Seven Years' War]]. Grant became a naval superintendent in 1763, with his headquarters on [[Navy Island]] (in the [[Niagara River]]), before moving to [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. His headquarters again changed, every winter, during which time the regiment was in [[New York City]], up to 1774.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=36549 |title=Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online |accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> |
'''Alexander Grant''' ([[May 20]] [[1734]] – [[May 8]] [[1813]]) was a [[Royal Navy]] officer, businessman, and politician in [[Upper Canada]]. During his service with the [[Royal Navy]] Grant saw action in the [[Seven Years' War]] before becoming a naval superintendent. He then embarked on a career in the ship-building industry before losing much of his wealth during the [[American Revolution]]. Grant recovered, however, and rose to prominence in civil society, becoming the administrator of Upper Canada in 1805. |
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== Naval career == |
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Grant entered the Royal Navy in 1755 and saw service in North America, on [[Lake Champlain]], during the [[Seven Years' War]]. Grant became a naval superintendent in 1763, with his headquarters on [[Navy Island]] (in the [[Niagara River]]), before moving to [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. His headquarters again changed, every winter, during which time the regiment was in [[New York City]], up to 1774.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=36549 |title=Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online |accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> |
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== Merchant career == |
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He began to build his own [[vessels]], essentially selling them to himself at a considerable profit. He built a commercial empire by also selling or renting ships to merchants and this was initially solidified during the [[American Revolution]] during which he was given military command of most of the [[Great Lakes (North America)|Great Lakes]]. |
He began to build his own [[vessels]], essentially selling them to himself at a considerable profit. He built a commercial empire by also selling or renting ships to merchants and this was initially solidified during the [[American Revolution]] during which he was given military command of most of the [[Great Lakes (North America)|Great Lakes]]. |
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However, in the course of the revolution Grant lost much of his income with the loss of 12,000 acres (49 km²) of land he owned in [[New York]], and the end of his participation in private shipping. |
However, in the course of the revolution Grant lost much of his income with the loss of 12,000 acres (49 km²) of land he owned in [[New York]], and the end of his participation in private shipping. |
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== Civil career == |
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Grant recovered, however, and rose to prominence in civil society, being appointed a [[justice of the peace]] in 1786 and, to a succession of governmental and political positions (in both [[Upper Canada]] and [[Lower Canada]]), he joined the [[Executive Council of Upper Canada]] under governor [[John Graves Simcoe]] as well as the [[Legislative Council of Upper Canada|Legislative Council]]. In 1799, Grant became a deputy superintendent of Indian Affairs. |
Grant recovered, however, and rose to prominence in civil society, being appointed a [[justice of the peace]] in 1786 and, to a succession of governmental and political positions (in both [[Upper Canada]] and [[Lower Canada]]), he joined the [[Executive Council of Upper Canada]] under governor [[John Graves Simcoe]] as well as the [[Legislative Council of Upper Canada|Legislative Council]]. In 1799, Grant became a deputy superintendent of Indian Affairs. |
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In August 1805, Grant became administrator of Upper Canada, upon the death of [[Lieutenant-Governor]] [[Peter Hunter]], and continued Hunter's policies until a new lieutenant governor, [[Francis Gore]], arrived from Britain, in August 1806. |
In August 1805, Grant became administrator of Upper Canada, upon the death of [[Lieutenant-Governor]] [[Peter Hunter]], and continued Hunter's policies until a new lieutenant governor, [[Francis Gore]], arrived from Britain, in August 1806. |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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*[http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=36549 Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online''] |
*[http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=36549 Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online''] |
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*[http://www.123exp-biographies.com/t/00034258857/ Biography at the Biography Research Guide] |
*[http://www.123exp-biographies.com/t/00034258857/ Biography at the Biography Research Guide] |
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Revision as of 17:22, 30 March 2008
Alexander Grant | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 20, 1734 |
| Died | May 8, 1813 (age 79) |
| Occupation(s) | Royal Navy officer, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, Naval superintendent, Businessman |
| Spouse | Thérčse Barthe |
| Children | 11 daughters and 1 son |
| Parent(s) | Patrick Grant and Isobel Grant |
- For the Principal of the University of Edinburgh, see Alexander Grant (University Principal).
Alexander Grant (May 20 1734 – May 8 1813) was a Royal Navy officer, businessman, and politician in Upper Canada. During his service with the Royal Navy Grant saw action in the Seven Years' War before becoming a naval superintendent. He then embarked on a career in the ship-building industry before losing much of his wealth during the American Revolution. Grant recovered, however, and rose to prominence in civil society, becoming the administrator of Upper Canada in 1805.
Naval career
Grant entered the Royal Navy in 1755 and saw service in North America, on Lake Champlain, during the Seven Years' War. Grant became a naval superintendent in 1763, with his headquarters on Navy Island (in the Niagara River), before moving to Detroit, Michigan. His headquarters again changed, every winter, during which time the regiment was in New York City, up to 1774.[1]
Merchant career
He began to build his own vessels, essentially selling them to himself at a considerable profit. He built a commercial empire by also selling or renting ships to merchants and this was initially solidified during the American Revolution during which he was given military command of most of the Great Lakes.
However, in the course of the revolution Grant lost much of his income with the loss of 12,000 acres (49 km²) of land he owned in New York, and the end of his participation in private shipping.
Civil career
Grant recovered, however, and rose to prominence in civil society, being appointed a justice of the peace in 1786 and, to a succession of governmental and political positions (in both Upper Canada and Lower Canada), he joined the Executive Council of Upper Canada under governor John Graves Simcoe as well as the Legislative Council. In 1799, Grant became a deputy superintendent of Indian Affairs.
In August 1805, Grant became administrator of Upper Canada, upon the death of Lieutenant-Governor Peter Hunter, and continued Hunter's policies until a new lieutenant governor, Francis Gore, arrived from Britain, in August 1806.
References
- ^ "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online". Retrieved 2008-03-26.