Becoming Prominent

Political, social and economic advancement in Upper Canada were often linked to characteristics other than merit. Through a collective biographical study of the social and economic background of the 283 men who were elected to the House of Assembly of Upper Canada between 1791 and 1841, J.K. Johnson draws a number of general conclusions regarding the relative importance of factors such as occupation, local office-holding, religion, nationality, political leanings, and education.