Robert Graham Dunlop (October 1, 1790 – February 28, 1841) was a ship's captain and political figure in Upper Canada.
| The Right Honourable Robert Graham Dunlop |
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|---|---|
| 13th Parliament Of Upper Canada | |
| Member of Parliament for Huron. |
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| In office 1835–1841 |
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| Monarch | Victoria of the United Kingdom |
| Preceded by | Riding created in 1835 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Graham Dunlop October 1, 1790 Greenock, Scotland |
| Died | February 28, 1841 (aged 50) Goderich, Ontario |
| Resting place | Goderich, Upper Canada |
| Citizenship | British |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Political party | Tory (moderate) |
| Spouse(s) | Louisa McColl |
| Occupation | Royal Navy, Captain |
He was born in Keppoch, Scotland in 1790 and joined the Royal Navy at the age of 13. He became a lieutenant while serving during the Napoleonic Wars; he later reached the rank of captain. He retired from the Navy in 1823 and came to Upper Canada in 1833 with his brother William "Tiger" Dunlop who was a general superintendent for the Canada Company. He was appointed a justice of the peace in the London District in the same year. In 1835, he was elected to the 13th Parliament of Upper Canada for the new riding of Huron. He tended to support the province's administration, including Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head and was reelected in 1836. In 1837, he joined the Orange Lodge and became a member of its provincial executive in 1838. He was named a colonel in the Huron militia during the Upper Canada Rebellion, but his unit was not called to serve. He supported the redistribution of the clergy reserves among the Protestant churches and promoting immigration to Upper Canada. He also supported the campaign against slavery in the province.
He died on the family estate near Goderich in 1841.
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Robert Graham Dunlop joined the Royal Navy in 1803. In 1810 he took the exam for the rank of Lieutenant. he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1812 and later to Commander in 1822.[1]
In 1813, Lieutenant Dunlop, in command of HMS Porcupine, captured or destroyed a number of French craft which had run ashore near Talmont-sur-Gironde.[2] With orders from Captain Trevenen Penrose Coode, Lieutenant Dunlop commanded the boats of HMS Porcupine (1807) in pursuit of a French flotilla. After the French flotilla ran ashore, Dunlop landed with a party of seamen and marines and captured significant French naval assets.[2]
In 1833 Robert Dunlop emigrated to Upper Canada with his brother William "Tiger" Dunlop. The two brothers settled in Goderich, Ontario and shortly after Robert Dunlop was appointed to two offices:
As a Justice of the Peace in Upper Canada, one could be expected to issue warrants, conduct preliminary inquiries, investigate misdemeanours, try a variety of summary offences, and commit the convicted to jail.[3]
A Court consisting of two or more Justices of the Peace authorized to try any claim not exceeding 40 shillings, Quebec currency. The system of Court of Requests was repealed in 1841, by 4 & 5 Vict., ch. 3, which provided for Division Courts. Regardless of the changes, many of the same people continued in the similar capacities in these positions; Robert Dunlop being of them. [4]
Robert Graham political career in the assembly is predominantly supportive of the Family Compact, although some of his views and votes were supportive of the Colborne Clique.