John Graves Simcoe
1752 - 1806
John Graves Simcoe, in 1791, became Upper Canada's first Lieutenant Governor. He introduced British institutions such as the courts and trial by jury. He also ended slavery and began to open up the province by building roads and giving land to American settlers. Simcoe wanted London to be the capital city of Upper Canada.
John Simcoe was born in Cotterstock, England on February 25, 1752. In 1782, he married Elizabeth Postuma Gwillim and they had six children, and of course, a wonderful dog named Jack Sharp. Lady Simcoe kept diaries and sketches of her visit to Upper Canada.
On October 26, 1806, Simcoe passed away.
Home Timeline Biocards Buildings Education More Info Teachers More Information:
London 200 An Illustrated History by Orlo Miller
The Forest City An Illustrated History of London, Canada by Frederick H. Armstrong
Simcoe's Choice edited by Guy St. Denis (an LMHS publication)
New Beginnings A Social History of Canada Volume 1 by James H. Marsh and Daniel FrancisThe London and Middlesex Historical Society