Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 15th Year - 2019

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Sir John Henry Lefroy 1817-1890

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2013

Photo Source - Wikipedia

On the west side of King's College Road, just south of King's College Circle on the grounds of the University of Toronto, stands this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. Also in front of that building are several other plaques all to do with the magnetic observatory. I've added photos of them below. Now here's what the Lefroy plaque says:

Coordinates: 43.660417 -79.394967

A pioneer in the study of terrestrial magnetism, Lefroy was director of the magnetic observatory here from 1842 to 1853. Born in Hampshire, England, he was commissioned in the Royal Artillery at the age of seventeen and, because of his aptitude for science, was posted to St. Helena in 1839 to establish a magnetic observatory. Three years later he was transferred to Toronto. During 1843-44 Lefroy conducted the first comprehensive magnetic and meteorological survey in British North America, making observations of exceptional scope and scientific value. Before returning to England in 1853 he was instrumental in persuading the provincial government to assume responsibility for the observatory. Following a distinguished career as a soldier, scholar and colonial administrator, Lefroy was knighted in 1877.