Leighton McCarthy

Leighton Goldie McCarthy, PC (December 15, 1869 – October 3, 1952) was a Canadian lawyer, politician, businessman and diplomat.

The Honourable
Leighton Goldie McCarthy
PC
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Simcoe North
In office
December 14, 1898 – September 21, 1911
Preceded byDalton McCarthy
Succeeded byJohn Allister Currie
Personal details
Born(1869-12-15)December 15, 1869
Walkerton, Ontario, Canada
DiedOctober 3, 1952(1952-10-03) (aged 82)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political partyIndependent (1898–1911)
Liberal (1911–?)
RelationsDalton McCarthy (uncle)
Residence(s)Toronto (1932–41, 1944–1952)
Washington, D.C. (1941–1944)
OccupationLawyer, businessman, diplomat

Life and career

Born in Walkerton, Ontario, McCarthy was called to the Ontario Bar in 1892.[1] He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1898 as an independent representing the riding of Simcoe North, following the death of the incumbent, his father Dalton McCarthy, in a carriage accident. He was re-elected in 1900 and 1904 but was defeated in 1911, when he ran as a Liberal.

In 1928, McCarthy became president of the Canada Life Assurance Company.[2] In 1941, he was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada.

From 1941 to 1944, McCarthy served as Canada's top diplomatic representative in Washington, D.C., and he became the first Canadian ambassador to the United States (previously, the position was called Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary). McCarthy was a lawyer before and after his political and diplomatic appointment but ended his practice in 1946.

McCarthy moved to Toronto and built a house at 45 Walmer Road in 1932,[3] and he died here in 1952. McCarthy bequeathed his home to the University of Toronto.[4] Since 1953, the building has housed the university's Institute of Child Study.

Archives

There is a Leighton G. McCarthy and family fonds at Library and Archives Canada.[5] Archival reference number is R4172.

References
  1. http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=103145%5B%5D
  2. "Our history". Canada Life Assurance Company. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  3. "Leighton Goldie McCarthy House". Toronto Architectural Conservancy. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  4. "McCarthy House". Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  5. "Finding aid to Leighton G. McCarthy fonds, Library and Archives Canada" (PDF).
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