Gourlay Robert Fleming 1778-1863 Born In The Parish Of Ceres
Fifeshire, Scotland. Attended St. Andrews University. Took part in an
inquiry into the condition of the poor in Great Britain, and carried on
an aggressive agitation for a reform of the poor laws. Came to Canada,
1817, and settled at Kingston. Becoming convinced of the need of radical
changes in the land system of Upper Canada, attacked the administration
with so much energy that he was finally, after a grossly unfair trial,
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expelled from the province. Returning to Scotland, devoted himself to
the preparation of his work on Upper Canada; lost most of his property
as the result of lawsuits; and imprisoned for a personal attack on Lord
Brougham in the lobby of the House of Commons. On his release, visited
the United States about 1836, and instrumental in dissuading Ohio
sympathizers from joining the movement under William Lyon Mackenzie. In
1842 his case brought before the Legislature of Upper Canada, and the
House decided that his arrest had been "illegal, unconstitutional and
without possibility of excuse and palliation, and the sentence declared
null and void." Did not, however, return to Canada until 1856, when he
was granted a pension of fifty pounds; this he refused because he
considered that his vindication had not been complete. Contested Oxford
County in 1860, but defeated; returned to Edinburgh, where he died.