George Taylor Denison II
Quick Facts
CancerBiography
George Taylor Denison II was a scion of what would later be called the family compact, the closely associated group of insiders from whom colonial Lieutenant Governors picked those to appoint to political appointments and sinecures. His grandfather John Denison was a good friend of Peter Russell, the acting Lieutenant Governor. His grandfather, and father George Taylor Denison, acquired substantial wealth in real estate.
He articled under George Cartwright Strachan, another member of the family compact, and was admitted to the bar in 1834.
His father distinguished himself during the War of 1812, and, in 1822, founded the York Dragoons, a cavalry militia unit, which he paid for out of his own funds.George Taylor Denison II would later command this unit, following his father's example, and paying its expenses out of his own funds.
Denison served as a Toronto alderman from 1843 to 1853.Denison and several other alderman resigned to protest what they regarded as corruption on the part of the current mayor John G. Bowes.
