Thomas Gibbs Ridout was a member of the small circle of privileged insiders who Lieutenant Governors of Upper Canada appointed to hold administrative posts and sinecures.[1] His father, Thomas Ridout, was Surveyor General of Upper Canada.

Thomas Gibbs Ridout
BornOctober 10, 1792
Sorel, Lower Canada, British Empire
DiedJuly 29, 1861(1861-07-29) (aged 68)
Torono, Province of Canada, British Empire
Occupation(s)army officer, banker
Known forFirst General Manager of the Bank of Upper Canada

Initially, during the War of 1812, Ridout served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment of Foot.[1] However, he was soon transferred to the Commissary department, rising to Deputy Assistant Commissary General. In these positions he was a senior purchasing officer for British Army, in Upper Canada. He held this lucrative post after the war, until 1820, when he was appointed First Cashier (i.e. General Manager) of the new Bank of Upper Canada.

During the War he appointed his 14 year old younger brother John Ridout as his confidential clerk.[1]

His son Thomas Ridout (1828-1905) was an architect.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ridout, Thomas Gibbs, banker". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2019-03-27. Following the examples of nepotism set by his own father and other members of the small government clique at York, Ridout, within a month of his own appointment, procured as confidential clerk his 14-year-old brother John.
  2. ^ "Ridout, Thomas | Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada".