George Crawford

Who was George Crawford?

George Crawford was a founding member of the Canadian Senate. A Conservative, he was elevated to the senate on 23 October 1867 by Royal Proclamation, and served in that capacity until his death.

He was born in County Leitrim in the Republic of Ireland in 1793 and came to Upper Canada in the 1820s. After moving to York, he became a contractor in construction and worked on the Rideau, Cornwall and Beauharnois canals. He served as lieutenant-colonel in the Leeds militia. He was also president of the Brockville and Ottawa Railway.

Around 1844, he moved to Brockville. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada representing Brockville in 1851 and 1854. In 1858, he was elected to the Legislative Council, the upper house at that time, and served until 1867, when he became a member of the Senate of Canada.

One son, John Willoughby, was elected to the Canadian House of Commons and served as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. His son James represented Brockville in the House of Commons.