Durham, Earl of

(John George Lambton). Born Apr. 12, 1792, in London; died July 28, 1840, at Cowes. British statesman, created a peer in 1828.

In 1830 and in 1832-33, Durham was lord privy seal, and from 1835 to 1837 he was ambassador to Russia. In 1838 he was appointed governor-general and lord high commissioner of Canada in the aftermath of the rebellion there. In 1839 he submitted to the British government his Report on the Affairs of British North America; in order to consolidate British rule he recommended uniting Upper and Lower Canada. He developed the plan for the future rule of Canada on the basis of limited self-government, anticipating the dominion concept that played a significant role in the colonial policy of Great Britain.