Rolph, John

(1792-1870)

   Born in Thornbury, England. Emigrated to Canada. Practised as a physician in Toronto, and in 1837 took part in the Rebellion. Connected with Mackenzie in the attempt to capture Toronto. After the collapse of the movement fled to the United States, where he practised for some years. Pardoned and returned to Canada, 1843; settled in Toronto. Joined with Lesslie, Perry, and others in forming the Clear Grit party; founded a medical school in Toronto; commissioner of crown lands in the Hincks-Morin ministry, 1851; resigned from the government, 1854, and joined the opposition; retired from public life, 1857.

   Index: Mc Defends Judge Willis, 133; moves address, 151; brings Gurnett to bar, 152; appointed executive councillor, 294; resigns, 294; prepares answer to Governor Head, 298; exposes opposition to Mackenzie's petition, 311; prevented from speaking in the House, 319; speech ridiculing Governor Head's exculpation by House, 323; pens "Declaration of Independence," 330; does not sign, 331; to be "sole executive" of Rebellion movement, 350; changes day of rising, 361; meets Mackenzie, 362; accompanies flag of truce, 368; advises Lount to advance, 371; second flag of truce, 371; leaves for the United States, 375; on Navy Island, 413; declines treasurership, 416; amnestied, 474. BL Fight for reform, 13; appointed to Executive Council by Head, 38-39; joint organizer of Rebellion of 1837, with Mackenzie, 43; changes date of rising, 43; sent by Head to the rebels, 44; tells Lount to pay no attention to Head's message, 44-45; his exile and return, a leader of the new Radicalism, 340-341. E One of the leaders of the movement that ended in the Rebellion of 1837, 110; a conspicuous member of the Clear Grit party, 110; invited by Hincks to a seat in Cabinet, 1851, 112; becomes commissioner of crown lands, 113; president of Executive Council, 1863, 126; votes against his colleagues, 136. B A leader of the Clear Grits, 39; plays a leading part in movement for reform before the Rebellion, 39. R Member for Middlesex in Upper Canada Assembly, 65-66.

   Bib.: Dent, Upper Canadian Rebellion and Last Forty Years; Dict. Nat. Biog. See also Rebellion of 1837, Upper Canada.