William Pars
British (1742-1775)
THE YOUNG JOHN GRAVES SIMCOE
c.1770-1775
oil on canvas

John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806) was the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, from 1791 to 1796. He organized the first civil government which met at Newark, now Niagara-on-the-Lake. He also constructed roads, surveyed towns and settlements, founded York (later Toronto) and laid the foundations for the abolishment of slavery in the colony.

This important canvas was acquired by Mr. Weir in England in 1976. The painting is likely a memorial to Simcoe’s father. The date 1759 is visible on the upright block, the year his father died while on board the Pembroke, seen on the right. Simcoe is dressed in the uniform of the 35th Regiment of Foot (the number 35 is barely visible on one of his buttons).