Ripon, Frederick John Robinson, Earl of

(1782-1859)

   Born in London. Educated at Harrow and Cambridge. In 1806 entered Parliament; in 1809 appointed under-secretary for the colonies; in 1810 lord of the Admiralty; in 1812 a member of the Privy Council; and paymaster-general of the forces, 1813-1817. Appointed chancellor of the exchequer, 1823, and introduced various fiscal reforms. In 1827 created Viscount Goderich; and became leader of the House of Lords and prime minister on the death of Canning. Subsequently filled the portfolios of war, the privy seal, the Board of Trade, and Indian affairs. In 1836 created Earl of Ripon.

   Index: Mc Colonial secretary, 1832, 221; inquires into Upper Canada Reformers' grievances, 223, 224; offers Mackenzie the post-office department, 225; deprecates civil war, 226; replies to Mackenzie, 227; relieves religious bodies as to taking oath, 227; stops free gifts of public lands, 227; decides that British subjects not to be disqualified from voting, 228; promotes extension of education, 228; orders account of public moneys, 228; suggests retirement of ecclesiastics as legislative councillors, 229; reduces cost of elections, 229; favours independent judiciary, 229; differs from Mackenzie, 230; Family Compact incensed at, 230; dismisses Hagerman and Boulton, 231, 232; resigns, 235; disallows Bank Acts, 237. Sy Resigns, 16. BL His despatch to the colony of Upper Canada, 15; petition and correspondence as to affairs in Upper Canada, 30. P Offers Papineau and his friends control of revenue in exchange for a civil list, 76-79. W Views on crown lands, New Brunswick, 23. Sy Liberal statesman, 15; becomes prime minister as Lord Goderich, 16; resigns, 16.

   Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.