Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Frederic W. Cumberland 1820-1881

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2004

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted January, 2011

In front of this house at 33 St. George Street, just north of College Street, stands this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.659350 -79.396166

An outstanding Canadian architect, civil engineer and railway manager, Cumberland was born in England and practised there before immigrating to Toronto in 1847. He quickly gained recognition, designing such notable buildings as St. James Cathedral (1850-53) and University College (1856-59), Toronto. In 1860 he completed this house, Pendarvis, in which he lived for 21 years. As an engineer, Cumberland became increasingly involved in railway construction and management, and after 1858 achieved wide prominence as managing director of the Northern Railway. He carried his railway interests into politics and served as member for Algoma in the Ontario Legislature (1867-72) and the Dominion Parliament (1871-72). A man of varied interests, Cumberland was a founder and first commanding officer of the present-day Royal Regiment of Canada.

Another plaque at this location
Pendarves - Cumberland House

Related Toronto plaques
St. James' Cathedral
University College

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted February 12, 2011
I am editing a 1874 Journal of a well heeled young English gentleman who makes note that he made use of the 4 hours he had in Toronto to call on Mrs Cumberland.(15th Dec 1874). "Mr C is in England on Railway business and has been away two or three months and is not expected back until January." I guess it was the wife of F.W.? Edward Wheeler's trip was from Montreal to Winnipeg (Fort Gary) mainly by steamer and small boat, and return by steamer to Fargo, then by rail to St Paul, Sioux City, Kansas, St Louis Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal.

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