Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Robert Gourlay 1778-1863

Photos by Alan L Brown - August 2007

This monument, erected by the North York Historical Society and Toronto Culture here in St. James Park, has an inscription cut into the front as well as three plaques attached to the sides. The inscription and the three plaques together have this to say:

Banished from Upper Canada in 1819 on false charges of sedition brought by the Family Compact. His writings had an impact on events leading to the 1837 rebellion. Robert Gourlay championed reforms ahead of his time. In Scotland - a vote for every man who could read and write. In England - a living wage for workers. In Canada - fair land distribution. "The first question in political economy should be, can the mass of the people live comfortably under this or that arrangement? But this most necessary question was forgotten, and many of the people have perished." R. Gourlay, Statistical Account of Upper Canada, 1822.

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.650726 -79.372852

Photo by Alan L Brown - August 2007

Related Ontario plaque page
Robert F. Gourlay 1778-1863

More Arts pages

Here are the comments for this page.

Posted May 26, 2009
this no fair because he did nothing to be banished from canada

Posted May 27, 2008
can you find a real picture of robert gourlay?

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