Hugh Finlayson (December 12, 1810 – June 3, 1889) was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Brant North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1879.

Hugh Finlayson
Ontario MPP
In office
1867–1879
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byJames Young
ConstituencyBrant North
Personal details
Born(1810-12-12)December 12, 1810
Edinburgh, Scotland
DiedJune 3, 1889(1889-06-03) (aged 78)
Paris, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
SpouseMary Dennis (m. 1897)
OccupationBusinessman

He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1810 and came to North America in 1832. He originally arrived at New York City, made his way to Brantford in Upper Canada in 1835 and settled in Paris, Ontario. He worked as a saddle and harness maker and also operated a tannery. He served as mayor of Paris in 1858 and represented East Brant in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1858 to 1861. In 1867, he was elected to the Ontario legislative assembly. He died in Paris in 1889.

Electoral history

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1867 Ontario general election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Hugh Finlayson 706 53.16
Conservative W. Turnbull 622 46.84
Total valid votes 1,328 72.69
Eligible voters 1,827
Liberal pickup new district.
Source: Elections Ontario[1]
1871 Ontario general election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hugh Finlayson 740 60.26 +7.10
Conservative Mr. la Pierre 488 39.74 −7.10
Turnout 1,228 60.73 −11.96
Eligible voters 2,022
Liberal hold Swing +7.10
Source: Elections Ontario[2]
1875 Ontario general election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hugh Finlayson 747 54.17 −6.09
Conservative J.S. Crawford 632 45.83 +6.09
Turnout 1,379 62.54 +1.81
Eligible voters 2,205
Liberal hold Swing −6.09
Source: Elections Ontario[3]
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  • Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history
  • The Canadian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-made Men. Vol. Ontario. Toronto: American Biographical Publishing Company. 1880. pp. 432–433.


  1. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1867. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  3. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1875. Retrieved April 6, 2024.