William Hume Blake 1809-1870

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 27, 2004

Plaque Location

The City of Toronto
In the centre of a park, Humewood Drive, 1 block north of St. Clair Avenue West

Plaque Text

A leading member of the Upper Canadian Bar, first professor of common and civil law at King's College, Toronto, William Hume Blake was born in Kiltegan, Ireland, and settled in Upper Canada in 1832. He became a prominent advocate of the Baldwins' principle of "responsible government" and was elected to the legislative assembly in 1847. As Solicitor-General for Canada West, 1848-1849, he introduced important legal reforms, notably the reorganization of the Court of Chancery. Blake, as Chancellor of Canada West, 1849-1862, used his legal prestige and ability to help establish the authority of this court. His son, Edward Blake, 1833-1912, became the second premier of Ontario and led the federal Liberal Party, 1879-1887. This park formed part of William Blake's estate, "Humewood".

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