15 Facts About Thomas McQuesten

Thomas Baker McQuesten was a Canadian politician in Ontario, Canada.

Thomas McQuesten served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Mitchell Hepburn and Gordon Conant.

Thomas McQuesten's father died from overdosing on sleeping pills leaving the family almost bankrupt when Thomas was six years old, and the family homestead narrowly avoided being sold to cover these debts.

Thomas McQuesten's family remained staunch Presbyterians, except one and rejected joining the United Church of Canada in 1925.

Thomas McQuesten received his primary and secondary education in Hamilton at Central School, and the Hamilton Collegiate Institute.

Since there was no university in Hamilton at the time, Thomas McQuesten had to leave the city for his post-secondary education.

Thomas McQuesten eventually contracted a cough and died of tuberculosis.

Thomas McQuesten began practicing law as a prelude to a planned political career, serving in firms in Toronto, Elk Lake and Hamilton.

Thomas McQuesten served as an alderman between 1913 and 1920, and tirelessly promoted parks as chairman of the Works Committee.

Thomas McQuesten participated in this strategy, adding a shifting number of portfolios to highways: mines, municipal affairs, and public works again.

Thomas McQuesten was defeated in the 1943 election which saw the Liberal Party defeated by the Conservatives, banished from government until David Peterson became premier in 1985.

Thomas McQuesten used his role as transportation minister to secure appointment as chairman of the Canada-US Niagara Falls Bridge Commission in 1939.

Thomas McQuesten was awarded permanent, honorary membership at The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 1947, shortly before his death.

Thomas McQuesten is considered to be the founder of Royal Botanical Gardens.

The formal Thomas Baker McQuesten Memorial is an elevated lookout platform along York Boulevard on RBG's Burlington Heights properties.