François Baby

Who was François Baby?

François Baby was a soldier, political figure and businessman in Upper Canada.

He was born in Detroit in 1768, the son of Jacques Baby and nephew of François Baby. Although Roman Catholic and French Canadian, he belonged to one of the richest and most powerful families in the Western District of Upper Canada at that time. In 1792, he was elected to represent Kent County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada.

He joined the British forces during the War of 1812 and was captured by the Americans in 1814. Also during the war, Baby's newly constructed house at Sandwich was taken over by invading American troops. On his return, he discovered that his home had been plundered and damaged; he did not feel that he was adequately compensated.

In 1820, he was elected to the legislative assembly representing Essex. Although connected with the elite, he supported moderate reformers. Baby also was an early proponent of bilingualism, requesting that the acts of the legislature be translated into French. He opposed the union of Upper and Lower Canada.

During the 1840s, he operated a ferry service between Windsor and Detroit.

He died in Windsor in 1852.