The Analysis of John Graves Simcoe's Legacy

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

John Graves Simcoe is a notable name in Canadian history; he is commemorated for his achievements for the British through local holidays, statues, and his virtuous legacy. Although the contemporary narrative perceives Simcoe as a hero, this project will question whether his actions justify that perception and praise. We will examine his role in ending slavery, the slave rebellion in Saint Domingue (present-day Haiti), and the American Revolution. These were regarded as his most influential contributions to history, despite not all of these events being included in Simcoe's traditional narrative. It will be through examining both sides, his memorialized, and the dishonourable actions, that we show the complexity of John Graves Simcoe.

Images

This is a portrait that is currently hung up in the Sage Room at Huron University College. It was donated to the university as a gift from Simcoe's daughters after they funded the creation of the institution.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

John Graves Simcoe was a British citizen who, throughout his life, held multiple titles, including lieutenant governor, statesman, and civil rights activist. Simcoe was a highly educated man; after graduating from three prestigious schools, the last being Oxford University in 1770, he chose to enter the British army instead of pursuing further education. As a soldier, Simcoe was sent to the thirteen colonies to fight during the American War for Independence. For his commendable war efforts, Simcoe was promoted to commander of the Queen's Rangers, a Loyalist military group fighting in America.

After returning to Britain, Simcoe entered politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament. Proving he was a worthy leader both militarily and politically, Simcoe was given the position of Lieutenant Governor for Upper Canada. As Lieutenant Governor, Simcoe encouraged immigration, agriculture, infrastructure development, and military defense. Simcoe also created a law to prohibit slavery in Canada. The act was progressive, and the reason Simcoe is remembered as the man who abolished slavery in Canada.[1]

The information used in the summary was only the details of Simcoe's life included from the website Encyclopedia Britannica. While the information was accurate, by comparing this source to other academic sources, there is a discrepancy between what details are included or, more accurately, what information they omitted. By analyzing both types of sources, there is an evident difference between what is included in a traditional, Eurocentric narrative versus the complete account of Simcoe's life. The webpage only describes certain aspects of Simcoe's life. In the Encyclopedia Britannica article, there is no mention of Simcoe's time in Saint Domingue, present day Haiti, where he was sent by the British as a war general to intervene in the Haitian Revolution. His involvement in subduing the slave revolt is missing from his history on this public website. The admittance or omission of select facts when discussing the impacts of John Graves Simcoe results in a misrepresentation of his character, which alters the public's perception of him as a historical figure.

Simcoe's complicated narrative is oversimplified through the celebration of Simcoe Day, statues, and memorials. Simcoe's name can be found frequently in Ontario. In Toronto, there is a civil holiday named after Sir John Graves Simcoe to honour his contributions to Canada. Since 1969 every year on August 3rd, Torontonians observe Simcoe Day.[2] The day commemorates the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada and his efforts to abolish slavery in Canada. In Queen's Park, the center of provincial government and politics, there is a statue dedicated to Simcoe, acting as another commemorative piece. Sir John Graves Simcoe even has a special connection with Huron. Isaac Hellmuth went to England to sit down with Simcoe's daughters and discuss the possibility of funding the school now known as Huron University College. Hellmuth reached out to the Simcoe's because of the connection John Graves Simcoe had with the area. Years earlier, Simcoe came to the area, blessed the land, and gave the city of London its name. Simcoe's daughters donated a portrait of their father to Huron to commemorate the donation in their father's name.[3] By highlighting these memorials dedicated to Simcoe, it is fair to say he made a significant impact on Ontario. However, do his contributions, considering both his beneficial and unfavourable actions, justify these celebrations? To shed light on this question, we will first analyze Simcoe’s career as a prominent war general for the British army.

Sources

[1] Mary Beacock Fryer and Christopher Dracott. John Graves Simcoe 1752-1806: A Biography. Dundurn, (1998):15-17, 39-40, 105-107, 135- 138. And Stanley R. Mealing, "John Graves Simcoe." In Our Living Tradition, 57–92. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2019.

[2] Karen MPL. "Why We Celebrate Simcoe Day." Markham Public Library, July 31, 2020. And “Simcoe Day: what is it & why do we celebrate” City News, August 1, 2016.

[3] James John Talman. Huron College, 1863-1963. London: Huron College, (1963): 9, 10, 63.

Fryer, Mary Beacock, and Christopher Dracott. John Graves Simcoe 1752-1806: A Biography. Dundurn, 1998.

"John Graves Simcoe" Encyclopædia Britannica. October 22, 2020 https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Graves-Simcoe

Mealing, Stanley R. "John Graves Simcoe." In Our Living Tradition, 57–92. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2019.

MPL, Karen. "Why We Celebrate Simcoe Day." Markham Public Library, July 31, 2020. https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/blogs/post/why-we-celebrate-simcoe-day/.

“Simcoe Day: what is it & why do we celebrate” City News, August 1, 2016. https://toronto.citynews.ca/2014/08/01/simcoe-day-what-is-it-why-do-we-celebrate/

Talman, James John. Huron College, 1863-1963. London: Huron College, 1963.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Dr. Nina-Reid Maroney, Huron University College