Angus Morrison

Who was Angus Morrison?

Angus Morrison, QC was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. He represented Niagara in the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative member from 1867 to 1874. He served as the 21st Mayor of Toronto from 1876 to 1878.

He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1822 and came to Upper Canada with his father in 1830; they later moved to York. Morrison joined the law office of his older brother, Joseph, as a clerk in 1839, was called to the bar in 1845 and opened his own practice in Toronto. He was elected to city council in 1853 and 1854. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in the North riding of Simcoe in 1854; he was reelected in 1857 and 1861. He was elected in an 1864 by-election to represent Niagara. He was elected to represent Niagara in the federal parliament in 1867, serving until his defeat in the 1874 general election. During his time in office, Morrison helped promote the development of transportation links within the province. In 1873, he was named Queen's Counsel. During his time as mayor, he helped establish the Credit Valley Railway and negotiated an agreement with Ottawa to have the city take over the exhibition grounds.