Thomas Chandler Haliburton, 1796-1865: a Nova Scotian: Judge of the Supreme Court there: in Sam Slick posed as a Connecticut clockmaker pointing out the foibles and want of initiative of the Nova Scotians: founded the American school of humour: later came to England, and was a Member of Parliament, 1859-65.
Lord Durham (John George Lambton), 1792-1840: radical member of Parliament: helped to prepare the Reform Bill: son-in-law of Earl Grey, who carried the Bill: ambassador to Russia, Prussia, and Austria: sent as Special Commissioner to Canada after the rebellion of 1837: his Report is a "State paper on colonial affairs which will live to all time" (Sir Charles Lucas).
Joseph Howe, 1804-73: a distinguished Nova Scotian statesman, who led the movement for responsible government in his native province: became Lieut.-Governor of N.S., 1873.
Lord John Russell, 1792-1878: son of the sixth Duke of Bedford: whig statesman: Home Secretary, 1835: Colonial Secretary, 1839: Prime Minister, 1846: Foreign Secretary, 1852: Lord President of the Council, 1854: Colonial Secretary, 1855: Foreign Secretary, 1859: Prime Minister, 1865. The most important period in his career is probably that of his ministry from 1846 to 1852.
Sir George Simpson, 1792-1860: Governor of the Hudson Bay Company's territories, 1821-60: crossed North America, 1828: made "overland" journey round the world, 1841-2.
John Robert Godley, 1814-61: much interested in colonisation: helped to found the Church of England Colony of Canterbury in New Zealand, 1850: later became Under Secretary at War.
Lord Elgin (James Bruce), 1811-63: Governor of Jamaica, 1842: Governor-General of Canada, 1847-54: carried out Lord Durham's plan of responsible government—he was Durham's son-in-law: envoy to China, 1857-8 and 1860-1: Viceroy of India, 1862-3.
Sir George Grey (1799-1882), who was Colonial Secretary, 1854-5, and several times Home Secretary, was a nephew of the Earl Grey who carried the Reform Act. He must not be confused with the more famous Sir George Grey (1812-98), who was Governor of South Australia, of New Zealand, and of Cape Colony.
Sir John A. Macdonald, 1815-91: born at Kingston, Ontario: leader of his (Conservative) party, 1856-91: led the federation movement, and became the first Prime Minister of the Dominion: politically responsible for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway: Prime Minister, 1878-91.
George Brown, 1818-80: founder and editor of the Toronto Globe: leader of the radical party, but formed a coalition with Macdonald in order to carry Confederation, resigning as soon as success was assured.