John Rorke

Who was John Rorke?

John Rorke was an Irish-born merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Carbonear in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1863 to 1882 as a Conservative and Confederate.

He was born in Athlone and came to Newfoundland in 1824, working as a clerk for Bennett and Ridley, a fishery supply firm. In 1830, he established his own firm in Carbonear. Rorke married Mary Toque. In 1859, a fire destroyed most of Carbonear, including Rorke's business and home; rebuilding began in the following year, and some of the rebuilt stone buildings remain as heritage structures in Carbonear. Rorke served as a member of the Executive Council from 1879 to 1882. He died in Carbonear at the age of 89.