Edward Blake
Edward Blake was a prominent Canadian politician and lawyer, born on October 13, 1833, in what is now Ontario. He was raised in Toronto and received his early education from his parents and a tutor before excelling at Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto. Blake entered law and quickly established a successful career as an equity lawyer. He became a key political figure as the second Premier of Ontario from 1871 to 1872 and served as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1880 to 1887, influencing the political landscape in Ontario for years.
Blake was instrumental in the establishment of Canada's Supreme Court during his tenure as Minister of Justice from 1875. Despite declining the opportunity to become chief justice, he continued to shape Canadian politics, leading to significant Liberal dominance in Ontario. After stepping back from federal politics in 1891, he was invited to serve in the British House of Commons as a member of the Irish Nationalist Party. Blake’s personal life included a marriage to Margaret Cronyn, with whom he had seven children, though three did not survive infancy. He passed away on March 1, 1912, leaving a lasting legacy in Canadian politics.
Subject Terms
Edward Blake
Politician
- Born: October 13, 1833
- Birthplace: Adelaide Township
- Died: March 1, 1912
- Place of death: Toronto, Ontario
Contribution: Edward Blake was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as Liberal premier of Ontario from 1873 to 1875. A prominent party leader, Blake served as minister of justice and had a leading role in writing the constitution of the Supreme Court of Canada, to which he nominated the first justices.
Background and Early Years
Dominick Edward Blake was born on October 13, 1833, in his family’s log cabin in Adelaide Township, in what is now Ontario. His parents, William Hume Blake and Catherine Honoria Hume, had immigrated to Canada from Ireland the previous year. Blake was raised primarily in Toronto.
Blake was a sickly child, and his early education was handled informally by his parents and tutor. He went on to become an outstanding student at Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1854 and a master’s degree in 1858. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and began a lucrative and distinguished career as an equity lawyer in Toronto.
Political Career
In 1867, Blake was elected to the provincial legislature, eventually rising to the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party in 1868. In 1871, he became the second premier of Ontario. He left that position in 1872, but had laid the foundation for Liberal domination of Ontario politics, which continued until 1905. Blake was appointed minister without portfolio for Canada’s first Liberal government in 1873, after he declined the leadership of the federal Liberal Party.
Blake became minister of justice in 1875 and served for two years. During that time, he was responsible for setting up Canada’s Supreme Court, although he declined the opportunity to become its chief justice. In 1876, Blake also began his tenure as chancellor of the University of Toronto. He became president of the Privy Council in 1877 and went on to serve as party leader in 1880.
After losing federal elections in 1882 and 1887, and disagreeing with his party about trade policy, Blake resigned from service as party leader in 1887 and from Canadian politics in 1891. In June 1892, he accepted an invitation to serve as a member of the Irish Nationalist Party in the British House of Commons. He refused all inducements to return to Canada, including another offer to head the Supreme Court. However, a stroke in 1907 led Blake to retire from British politics and return to Canada.
Personal Life
In 1856, Blake married Margaret Cronyn. They had seven children, including three who did not survive past infancy. Blake died on March 1, 1912.
Bibliography
“Blake, The Hon. Edward, PC, QC, MA.” PARLINFO. Library of Parliament, n.d. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.
“Canadian Statesman Dead; Hon. Edward Blake Was Once Premier of Ontario.” New York Times. New York Times, 2 Mar. 1912. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.
“Edward Blake, MPP.” Past and Present MPPs. Legislative Assembly of Ontario, n.d. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.
Forster, Ben, and Jonathan Swainger. “Blake, Edward.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval, 1998. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.Schull, Joseph. Edward Blake. Toronto: Macmillan, 1975. Print.