Scottish born Canadian politician George Brown was born - On this day in history

George Brown, founder of the Toronto Globe and one of the Fathers of Confederation, was born on 29 November 1818 in Clackmannanshire. Brown and his family emigrated to Canada when he was 25 years old and he set up in business running a print business with his father. Within a year, Brown founded the Globe and Banner newspapers, both of which he used as vehicles for attacking slavery in South America.

He entered Canadian politics in 1851, when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. He was made a senator in 1873 and was shot by a disgruntled Globe employee, George Bennett, in March 1880, causing a wound which was to become fatal. George Brown died on 9 May 1880 and is buried at Toronto Necropolis.

George Brown's legacy

Several buildings and monuments in Canada are named in George Brown's honour, including:

• George Brown House, Toronto
• George Brown College, Toronto
• George Brown statue, Queen's Park, Toronto
• George Brown statue, Parliament Hill, Ottowa

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