James S. Lynch
Encyclopedia
James Spencer Lynch was a Manitoba
physician and political figure. He represented Marquette
in the 1st Canadian Parliament
from March 2, 1871 to July 8, 1872 as a Liberal
member.
He was born near London
in Canada West in 1841, studied at the University of Toronto
and came to Manitoba in 1868. He was arrested by Louis Riel
after he tried to organize a company of Canadian volunteers in Winnipeg
. He practised medicine in Portage la Prairie
for a time. Both Lynch and Angus McKay
represented Marquette in the House of Commons, due to a tie vote in the by-election held after Manitoba joined Confederation. Lynch was defeated in the general election that followed in 1872. In 1876, he led the group dealing with a smallpox
epidemic in Gimli
. Lynch became a member of the Medical Board of Manitoba in 1877; he was reelected in 1882 and served as president of the Board. Lynch was one of the first attending physicians at the Winnipeg General Hospital
. In 1886, the Board was replaced by Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and Lynch again served as president. He died in Winnipeg in 1894.
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
physician and political figure. He represented Marquette
Marquette (electoral district)
Marquette was a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1871 to 1979.This riding was created in 1871 following the creation of the province of Manitoba in 1870....
in the 1st Canadian Parliament
1st Canadian Parliament
The 1st Canadian Parliament was in session from November 6, 1867 until July 8, 1872. The membership was set by the 1867 federal election from August 7 to September 20, 1867, and it changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections until it was prorogued prior to the 1872 election.It was...
from March 2, 1871 to July 8, 1872 as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
member.
He was born near London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
in Canada West in 1841, studied at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and came to Manitoba in 1868. He was arrested by Louis Riel
Louis Riel
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A....
after he tried to organize a company of Canadian volunteers in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
. He practised medicine in Portage la Prairie
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
-Transportation:Portage la Prairie railway station is served by Via Rail with both The Canadian and Winnipeg – Churchill trains calling at the station....
for a time. Both Lynch and Angus McKay
Angus McKay (politician)
Angus McKay was a Canadian politician who represented the Conservative Party in the riding of Marquette, Manitoba. He was elected on 2 March 1871 in a by-election. His term ended on 8 July 1872. He was the first aboriginal Canadian elected to the House of Commons.He was born Auguste McKay at...
represented Marquette in the House of Commons, due to a tie vote in the by-election held after Manitoba joined Confederation. Lynch was defeated in the general election that followed in 1872. In 1876, he led the group dealing with a smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic in Gimli
Gimli, Manitoba
Gimli is a a rural municipality located in the Interlake region of south-central Manitoba, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. It is about north of the provincial capital Winnipeg...
. Lynch became a member of the Medical Board of Manitoba in 1877; he was reelected in 1882 and served as president of the Board. Lynch was one of the first attending physicians at the Winnipeg General Hospital
Winnipeg General Hospital
Winnipeg General Hospital was founded in 1872 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was built on the estate of Andrew McDermot. The driving force behind the hospital was McDermott's son-in-law Andrew Bannatyne....
. In 1886, the Board was replaced by Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and Lynch again served as president. He died in Winnipeg in 1894.