Thomas Workman (Canadian politician)

Thomas Workman
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Montreal Centre
In office 1867–1872
Succeeded by	Michael Patrick Ryan
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Montreal West
In office 1875–1878
Preceded by	Frederick Mackenzie
Succeeded by	Matthew Hamilton Gault
Personal details
Born	(1813-06-17)June 17, 1813 Ballymacash, Ireland
Died	October 9, 1889(1889-10-09) (aged 76) Montreal, Quebec
Resting place	Mount Royal Cemetery
Political party	Liberal

Thomas Workman (June 17, 1813 – October 9, 1889) was a Quebec businessman and political figure. He represented Montreal Centre in the 1st Canadian Parliament and Montreal West from 1875 to 1878 as a Liberal member.

Biography

He was born in Ballymacash, Ireland in 1813 and came to Montreal, where his brothers had already settled, in 1827. In 1834, he was hired as a clerk in a hardware company operated by John Frothingham and his brother William; he became a partner in 1843 and sole owner in 1859. He also served as president of the Molson Bank and a director of the Sun Mutual Life Insurance Company in Montreal, serving as president from 1871 to 1889. He served as a volunteer to help put down the Lower Canada Rebellion. In 1866, he was named justice of the peace.

House of Commons

He was elected to the House of Commons in 1867, but did not run again until an 1875 by-election in Montreal West after the sitting member was unseated.

Death and burial

He died from diabetes in Montreal in 1889. He is interred in Montreal’s Mount Royal Cemetery.

Legacy

He had supported McGill College during his life and left a large sum from his estate to the college and other charities.

1867 Canadian federal election: Montreal Centre
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Thomas Workman	acclaimed
Source: Canadian Elections Database

References

• "Thomas Workman". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.
• Thomas Workman – Parliament of Canada biography