Article

Charles Duncombe

Published Online January 22, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Charles Duncombe, doctor, politician, rebel (b at Stratford, Conn 28 July 1792; d at Hicksville, Calif 1 Oct 1867). Duncombe came to Upper Canada in 1819, finally settling in Burford Township where he had a large medical practice.

Duncombe, Charles

Charles Duncombe, doctor, politician, rebel (b at Stratford, Conn 28 July 1792; d at Hicksville, Calif 1 Oct 1867). Duncombe came to Upper Canada in 1819, finally settling in Burford Township where he had a large medical practice. Elected to the assembly in 1830 as an independent, he gradually aligned himself with the Reformers, becoming a leading radical spokesman on social issues by the mid-1830s. He travelled to England to protest the corrupt election of 1836 but was disillusioned by the British government's disinterest. This blow and personal tragedy caused him to withdraw from politics until word came of the Toronto rising of 1837. In response, Duncombe hurriedly organized his area to fight, but the arrival of government forces caused him to disperse his forces and flee to the US.

See also Rebellions of 1837.