Thomas Gibbs Ridout
Thomas Gibbs Ridout | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 10, 1792 |
| Died | July 29, 1861 (aged 68) |
| Nationality | Canada |
| Occupation(s) | army officer, banker |
| Known for | First General Manager of the Bank of Canada |
Thomas Gibbs Ridout was a member of the small circle of privileged insiders who Lieutenant Governors of Upper Canada appointed to hold administrative posts and sinecures.[1] His father, Thomas Ridout, was the province's Surveyor General.
Initially, during the War of 1812, Ridout served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment of Foot.[1] However, he was soon transferred to the Commissary department, rising to deputy assistant commissary general. In these positions he was a senior purchasing officer for British Army, in Upper Canada. He held this lucrative post after the war, until 1820, when he was appointed First Cashier (i.e. General Manager) of the new Bank of Canada.
During the War he appointed his 14 year old younger brother John Ridout as his confidential clerk.[1]
References
- ^ a b c
"Ridout, Thomas Gibbs, banker". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
Following the examples of nepotism set by his own father and other members of the small government clique at York, Ridout, within a month of his own appointment, procured as confidential clerk his 14-year-old brother John.