Robert Fleming Gourlay
Robert Fleming Gourlay (March 24, 1778 – August 1, 1863) was a Scottish-Canadian writer, political reform activist, and agriculturalist.
In 1817, his wife inherited some land in the Niagara District of Upper Canada and he travelled there via New York City, expecting to return by the fall.
Gourlay later questioned the decision of Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore in banning the granting of land to people of the United States.
In May and June 1818, Gourlay began holding meetings across the province, proposing a direct appeal to the government in England.
In the eastern part of the province, he encountered much resistance from the ruling elite, members of the Family Compact and was assaulted several times.
In July 1818, a convention was held at York with representatives from 14 districts; it was decided to present a petition to the new Lieutenant Governor Sir Peregrine Maitland.
Although he can be said to have sowed the seeds of discontent that led to the Upper Canada Rebellion, he was loyal to Britain and viewed William Lyon Mackenzie as a traitor.
St. James Park.
The plaque reads:
"Robert Gourlay championed reform
ahead of his time.
In Scotland - a vote for every man
who could read and write
In England - a living wage for workers
In Canada - fair land distribution"
