Jump to content

William "Tiger" Dunlop

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 76.66.192.55 (talk) at 23:31, 14 July 2010 (copyedit). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the former Ontario MPP and cabinet minister, see William James Dunlop.

Dr. William Dunlop (19 November 1792 – 29 June 1848) also known as Tiger Dunlop.

The Right Honourable
William Tiger Dunlop
File:Canmedaj01489-0107-a.gif
MP, Huron
Member of Parliament
for United Province of Canada. Canada West. Huron.
In office
1841–1846
MonarchVictoria of the United Kingdom
Preceded byRobert Dunlop
MajorityUndetermined. James McGill Strachan wins; Dunlop appeals and wins.
Personal details
Born
William Dunlop

1792 November 17
Greenock, Scotland
Died1848 June 29
Lachine, Canada or Côte-Saint-Paul (Montreal)
Resting placefirst in Hamilton, later Goderich, Upper Canada
CitizenshipBritish
NationalityBritish
Political partyTory (moderate)
SpouseUnmarried
ChildrenNone
Parent(s)Alexander Dunlop and Janet Graham
EducationUniversity of Glasgow
OccupationMilitary Physician, Author, Woodsman, Soldier and Politican


Early Life

William Tiger Dunlop was an army officer, surgeon, Canada Company official, author, justice of the peace, militia officer, politician, and office holder. An energetic and bright man, he is notable for his contributions to the War of 1812 in Canada, his work in the Canada Company and later as a Member of Parliament for the 1st Parliament of the Province of Canada, Canada West, Huron.

Education

Tiger Dunlop was born 19 November 1792 in Greenock, Scotland, the third son of a local banker Alexander Dunlop and Janet Graham. He pursued his medical studies at the University of Glasgow and in London. He died unmarried on the 29th June 1848 in Côte-Saint-Paul, and was buried first in Hamilton and then in Goderich, Upper Canada.[1]

In January 1813 Dunlop joined the army as a hospital mate, a month later was posted as an assistant surgeon in the 89th Regiment of Foot. He was first posted to the Isle of Wight, later leaving for Quebec in August 1813. His Canadian experiences can be read in "Recollections of the American War of 1812-1814". [2]

Life in Canada

War of 1812

Main article: War of 1812

Upon leaving Britain on the 4th of February 1813, he was appointed assistant surgeon to the 89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot. The regiment was posted to Upper Canada during the War of 1812 in time to participate in the Battle of Crysler's Farm and the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

Dunlop arrived in Upper Canada during the War of 1812 in time to treat men wounded at both Crysler’s Farm and Lundy’s Lane. Like other war doctors, he was faced with seemingly impossible tasks. After the battle of Chippawa, Dunlop worked alone on 220 men from both armies because no other surgeons were available. The story continues that Dunlop worked alone for more than two full days, barely sitting down and stopping only to eat and change clothes.[3]

He played a more active role in the assault on Fort Erie on 15 Aug. 1814, carrying about a dozen injured men out of the range of fire and providing survivors with basic necessities. He served with a road-cutting party near Penetanguishene in the spring of 1815.[4]

Rebellions of 1837

Main article: Rebellions of 1837

During the Rebellions of 1837, Dunlop commanded the Huron Regiment in Upper Canada nicknamed The Bloody Useless. The rebellion was short-lived and lead by the radical elements of 1837. The Huron Regiment consisted of approximately 600 men with primitive arms and few resources.[5] Dunlop commandeered supplies and food from Canada Company stores for the benefit of his men, leading to demands from the Canada Company for his withdrawal from militia activities. Dunlop refused, but resigned from the company later in 1838.[6]

The Canada Company

Main article: Canada Company

In 1825 Tiger Dunlop was appointed Warden of the Woods and Forests by John Galt of the Canada Company. The position involved inspecting the company lands to protect them and the selection of land to be sold for profit. This position put Tiger Dunlop as second-in-command to Galt in Upper Canada of 1825. In 1829, Galt resigned his position. As was the custom of the day, positions such as that held by Dunlop were personal appointments, he was in some danger of loosing his position, but managed to keep it. In 1833 he was appointed the General Superintendent of the Huron Tract. It was at this time that Dunlop published Statistical Sketches of Upper Canada to encourage young people to come to Canada.[7]

Tiger was present at the founding of Guelph, the company headquarters for the Canada Company, and built his home north of Goderich.

Member of Parliament, Province of Canada

File:1849 ProvinceofCanada.png
The Province of Canada, 1841-67. Canadian Geographic: Historical Maps

Tiger Dunlop left the Canada Company in 1838. Three years later his brother Robert Dunlop died leaving his parliamentary seat vacant. The seat was contested both by a Canada Company official, James McGill Strachan and Tiger Dunlop. Tiger was declared not elected. Tiger appealed the election results and won. On the appeal being allowed, he took his seat Aug. 20, 1841. Tiger was a colourful character and made interesting speeches and wrote direct letters to the newspapers of Toronto. Dunlop's short foray into journalism gave him the knowledge of the trade to catch the eyes of the editors in London, England.

When Dunlop resigned from the Canada Company the divisions in Huron County became more evident where the Canada Company provided some with a living and others with obstacles to overcome. Dunlop became the natural leader of a group known as the Colbornites, an anti-Company group.

In February 1841 Robert Dunlop, who had represented Huron in the assembly since 1835, died. The union of Upper and Lower Canada took place shortly after Robert Dunlop's death. In the subsequent election later that year William ran against the Canada Company’s choice, James McGill Strachan, son of the bishop and brother-in-law of Thomas Mercer Jones. Although Strachan had had little chance of winning, he was declared elected. Dunlop's subsequent appeal was successful and he was awarded the seat. In the general election of 1844 Dunlop ran unopposed.[8]

Despite his flambouyant character and occassional radical stances, in the legislature Dunlop took a moderate tory position. He became notable for his humour. In 1841 he chaired a committee to hear the grievances of the exiled radical Robert Fleming Gourlay. Dunlop's report was an even-handed treatment of Gourlay's situation.[9]

1st Warden of the District of Huron

As a member of Parliament, Dunlop was appointed as the 1st Warden of the District of Huron. With his experience as the Canada Company Warden of the Woods[10], Dunlop was uniquely qualified for this work. However, his methods often left questions in the minds of those around him and he was replaced in 1846.[11]

Resignation

Tiger resigned his seat in 1846. It is not clear why he did so. Tory ministers William Henry Draper and Denis-Benjamin Viger apparently wanted their colleague Inspector General William Cayley to have a safe seat in parliament and Huron appeared to be the best bet. Dunlop was offered the superintendency of the Lachine Canal in return for his seat. To the surprise of all, Dunlop accepted the post..[12]

Tiger Dunop died within two years of leaving the legislature on June 29, 1848 at the age of 56.

Plaque

Text from the Tiger Dunlop Plaque, which can be found near his gravesite in Goderich, Ontario.

In the nearby tomb is buried Dr. William Dunlop, physician, author, woodsman, soldier, politician and raconteur. Born in Scotland, he served in Canada as an army surgeon during the War of 1812. His writings, including articles based on his residence in India 1817-1819, won him a place among the witty contributors to Blackwood's Magazine with the title of 'Tiger'. In 1826 he emigrated to Upper Canada. As 'Warden of the Forests' for the Canada Company, he assisted John Galt (novelist) in opening up the Huron Tract and in 1827 founded Goderich. Dunlop was member for Huron 1841-46 and wrote two books about Canada.

(* as erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historical Sites Board.)

Bibliography

  • Byfield, Shadrach, b. 1789. Two British soldiers in the War of 1812 : the accounts of Shadrach Byfield and William Dunlop / edited and annotated by Stuart Sutherland. -- Toronto : Iser Publications, 2002.
  • Coleman, Thelma. The Canada Company / by Thelma Coleman ; and James Anderson for supplement and the search for illustrations. -- Stratford, Ont. : County of Perth : Perth County Historical Board : Cumming Publishers, c1978.
  • Dunlop, William, 1792-1848. Recollections of the American war, 1812-14 [microform] / by Dr. Dunlop ; with a biographical sketch of the author, by A.H.U. Colquhoun. -- Toronto : Historical Pub. Co., 1905.
  • Dunlop, William, 1792-1848. Tiger Dunlop's Upper Canada : comprising Recollections of the American War 1812-1814, and Statistical sketches of Upper Canada for the use of emigrants by a backwoodsman / introd., Carl F. Klinck. -- Toronto : McClelland and Stewart, c1967.
  • Dunlop, William, 1792-1848. William Tiger Dunlop, Blackwoodian backwoodsman / essays by and about Dunlop selected and edited by Carl F. Klinck. -- Toronto : Ryerson Press, 1958.
  • Ford, F. S. L. (Frederick Samuel Lampson), 1869-. William Dunlop / by F.S.L. Ford. -- Toronto : Murray, 1931.
  • Ford, Frederick Samuel Lampson, 1869-. William Dunlop. [Ed. 2.] -- Toronto, Britnel, 1934.
  • Graham, W. H. (William Hugh), 1912-. The tiger of Canada West / W.H. Graham. -- Toronto : Clarke, Irwin, 1962.
  • Klinck, Carl Frederick, 1908-. William "Tiger" Dunlop, "Blackwoodian backwoodsman" ; essays by and about Dunlop. -- Toronto Ryerson Press [1958]
  • Stewart, I. Anette. The 1841 election of Dr. William Dunlop as member of parliament for Huron County. -- 1947.
  • Tazewell, Samuel Oliver, fl. 1833-1835. [Portrait of William Dunlop] / Tazewell delt. & lithr. -- York, U.C. : Published for the Canadian literary magazine, [1833]

References

  1. ^ http://www.herontrips.com/Dunlop.html
  2. ^ Canadian Medical Association. v.115(7); October 9, 1976.
  3. ^ http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/people/dunlop.html
  4. ^ http://www.herontrips.com/Dunlop.html
  5. ^ Canadian Medical Association. v.115(7); October 9, 1976.
  6. ^ http://www.herontrips.com/Dunlop.html
  7. ^ http://www.clandunlop.com/dunlop_library.htm
  8. ^ Stewart, I. Anette. The 1841 election of Dr. William Dunlop as member of parliament for Huron County. -- 1947.
  9. ^ http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=37486
  10. ^ http://www.herontrips.com/Dunlop.html
  11. ^ http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=37486
  12. ^ http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=37486
Flag of CanadaPolitician icon

This biographical article about a Canadian politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Stub icon

This biographical article related to the military is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Flag of ScotlandBiography icon

This Scottish biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_%22Tiger%22_Dunlop&oldid=373532027"