About John Leys
Lived 1834 – 1900 (aged 66). John Leys was a Canadian politician.
John Leys (January 27, 1834 – February 17, 1900) was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. He represented Toronto in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1886 to 1890 as a Liberal member.
He was born in Pickering, Ontario County, Upper Canada in 1834, the son of Francis Leys, a Scottish immigrant. He was educated at the Toronto Academy. Leys studied law with Angus Morrison, was called to the bar in 1860 and set up practice in Toronto. He served as solicitor for the Toronto and Nipissing Railway and was involved in the development of the Narrow Gauge Railway. In 1865, he married Helen Emma Arthurs, the daughter of William H Arthurs, a Toronto merchant. He ran unsuccessfully in Toronto East in 1882 before his election to the provincial assembly in 1886.
His brother Francis also served as a member of the provincial assembly.
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Important facts
People in John Leys's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Leys?
Canadian politician
When was John Leys born?
John Leys was born on 27 January 1834 in Pickering.
When did John Leys die?
John Leys died on 17 February 1900 in Mexico City.
What was John Leys's occupation?
John Leys was a politician.
What nationality was John Leys?
John Leys was Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Leys. https://biography.guide/john-leys/
MLA: "John Leys." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-leys/.
Chicago: "John Leys." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-leys/.
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