James Lyons Biggar

Who was James Lyons Biggar?

James Lyons Biggar, one of Canada's earliest senior military officers, was born 16 July 1856, the son of James Lyons Biggar M.P., at Carrying Place, Ontario. He attended school locally and Upper Canada College, Toronto.

Canada was a young country, having become a federal and provincial political entity in 1867 through the process known as Canadian Confederation. As the nation grew and matured with the addition of new provinces, so too did the nation begin to develop its own unique institutions including: the courts of law, customs and tariffs, and the military, among others. In 1881, Biggar entered military service as a lieutenant in the 15th Regiment. In 1882 he married Mary Scott Elliot. The Biggars had three children: namely, Arthur Lyons, Violet Isabel and Percival Elliot.