John Powell (politician)
John Powell ( June 19, 1809 , † February 24, 1881 ) was a Canadian politician. He was the 5th Mayor of Toronto and played an important role during the Upper Canadian Revolution .
Powell began his political career in 1837 when he was elected to the city council. When Toronto's first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, fomented the rebellion against the so-called "Family Compact" and Governor Francis Bond Head - a small elite group of families who controlled the politics of Upper Canada - Powell opposed this and became an important figure in this argument. On December 4, 1837, he and his companion Archibald Macdonald scouted the rebels and their activities. Both were caught and were due to be brought to Mackenzie. Before Powell could be taken to headquarters, he pulled a pistol from his coat and shot one of the rebels and escaped. He tried to shoot Mackenzie at close range; however missed its target. Powell returned to town and was hailed as a hero for his deeds. He was unanimously elected mayor by the council and held this office from January 1838 to January 1841. He then served the city council for another year and then retired from politics. In 1844 he left Toronto and became a judicial officer in Lincoln County, where he remained until his death.
literature
- Russell, VL Mayors of Toronto : Volume 1. Erin: Boston Mills Press, 1982.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Powell, John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Canadian politician who turned 5 |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 19, 1809 |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 24, 1881 |