James Leslie (Canadian politician)
James Leslie (4 September 1786 – 6 December 1873) was a Canadian businessman and political figure. An immigrant from Scotland in 1804, he became a successful Montreal businessman and was one of the founders of the Bank of Montreal.
The Honourable James Leslie | |
|---|---|
Senator James Leslie | |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for Montreal East | |
| In office 1824 – 1838 (four elections) | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Thain |
| Succeeded by | None; constitution suspended |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Verchères | |
| In office 1841–1848 (one by-election and two general elections) | |
| Preceded by | Henri Desrivières |
| Succeeded by | George-Étienne Cartier |
| Member of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada | |
| In office 1848–1867 | |
| President of the Executive Council of the Province of Canada | |
| In office 11 March, 1848 – 14 September, 1848 | |
| Preceded by | William Morris |
| Succeeded by | William Hamilton Merritt |
| Provincial Secretary of the Province of Canada | |
| In office 1848–1851 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Baldwin Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Augustin-Norbert Morin |
| Senator for Alma, Quebec | |
| In office 23 October 1867 – 6 December 1873 | |
| Appointed by | Royal Proclamation |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | Edward Goff Penny |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 September 1786 Kair, Kincardineshire, Scotland |
| Died | 6 December 1873 (aged 87) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Lower Canada: Parti canadien, then Parti Patriote Province of Canada: French-Canadian Group, "English" Liberal Canada: Conservative |
| Spouse | Julia Langan |
| Children | at least 1 son |
| Education | (1) Marischal College, Aberdeen (2) University of Aberdeen |
| Occupation | Merchant, banker |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Britain |
| Branch/service | Lower Canada militia |
| Years of service | 1812 to 1815 |
| Rank | Retired in 1862 with rank of Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
He was active in Canadian politics for half a century, particularly as a member of the LaFontaine–Baldwin ministry from 1848 to 1851, the first Province of Canada government selected under the principle of responsible government.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada in 1824, holding the seat until dissolution of the constitution of Lower Canada in 1838. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1841 to 1848, and then a member of the Legislative Council until Canadian Confederation in 1867. He was one of the first members appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1867.
He died in office in 1873.