William Henry Boulton

William Henry Boulton (April 19, 1812 – February 15, 1874) was a lawyer and political figure in Canada West. He served as Mayor of Toronto from 1845 to 1847, and in 1858, where in the position he was considered "a colourful figure with varied interests" - likely due to his seemingly polar opposite influences in office: "sympathies for Family Compact traditions" and the inherent righteousness of the Church of England (especially in educational institutions) juxtaposed to elective institutions, the "rep-by-pop" system, and his interests in republicanism and "popularism". He was a highly influential member of the Orange Order in Canada, as he was made deputy grand master of British North America for the Toronto Orange Lodge in 1854. William supported the "more Protestant and vocal wing" of the Orange Order, led by George Benjamin over the Orangeism of Ogle Robert Gowan. Both sides of Boulton's family had connections to the Family Compact, wherein William was considered "third generation Family". His paternal grandfather was Chief Justice George D'Arcy Boulton, his cousin was D'Arcy Boulton Jr., and he was nephew to Family Compact leader Sir John Beverly Robinson, in addition to George Strange Boulton and Henry John Boulton. Boulton died in Toronto in 1874.