Thomas Kirkpatrick (Canadian politician) facts for kids
Thomas Kirkpatrick (born December 25, 1805 – died March 26, 1870) was a Canadian lawyer and a political leader. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Frontenac in the 1st Canadian Parliament. He was a member of the Conservative Party.
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About Thomas Kirkpatrick
Early Life and Moving to Canada
Thomas Kirkpatrick was born in 1805 in County Dublin, Ireland. His family lived at Coolmine House. In 1823, when he was about 18 years old, he moved to Upper Canada. Upper Canada was a British colony that later became part of Ontario.
He decided to study law. He learned from a relative of his future wife, Christopher Alexander Hagerman. By 1828, he was officially a lawyer. He started his law practice in Kingston. He also worked as a customs collector there. A customs collector helps manage goods coming into the country.
A Leader in Kingston
Thomas Kirkpatrick became an important figure in Kingston. In 1838, he was chosen as the very first mayor of the city. However, he was later found to be living outside the city limits. Because of this, he could not keep the mayor's job at that time.
But he didn't give up on serving his community. In 1847, he was elected mayor of Kingston again. This time, he was able to serve. In 1846, he was given the special title of Queen's Counsel. This title is given to experienced lawyers who advise the Crown.
His Family and Legacy
Thomas Kirkpatrick married Helen Fisher. Her father, Alexander Fisher, was also a Member of Parliament. Thomas's brother, Stafford Kirkpatrick, married Helen's sister.
Thomas and Helen had a son named George Airey Kirkpatrick. George followed in his father's footsteps. After Thomas Kirkpatrick passed away, George was elected to the same seat in the House of Commons. He later became the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1892.
Thomas Kirkpatrick died in Kingston in 1870. He was still serving as a Member of Parliament when he passed away. He is buried at Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston. Today, a major street in Kingston, Kirkpatrick Street, is named in his memory.
