John Young | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:John_Young_(1773-1837).png) John Young (1773-1837) | |
| Born | 1 September 1773 |
| Died | 6 October 1837 (aged 64) Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Other names | Agricola |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Education | University of Glasgow |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, author, agronomist, and agricultural reformer |
| Employer(s) | John Young and Company (founder) |
| Organization | Central Board of Agriculture (founding member) |
| Spouse |
Agnes Renny (m. 1814–1837) |
| Children | William Young (son) George Renny Young (son) Charles Young (son) |
| Parents |
|
| Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Sydney County | |
| In office 1824–1837 | |
| Preceded by | John Cunningham |
| Succeeded by | Richard J. Forrestall |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Liberal |
John Young (September 1, 1773 – October 6, 1837) was a Scottish-born merchant, author, agronomist, and agricultural reformer in Nova Scotia. He represented Sydney County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1824 to 1837. He supported the Royal Acadian School.
He was born in Falkirk, the son of William Young, and studied theology at University of Glasgow but did not graduate. He entered business at Falkirk and then Glasgow. Young married Agnes Renny. In 1814, he came to Halifax with his wife and sons and set up in business as a dry goods merchant there. Believing that there was room for improvement in the state of agriculture in the province, Young wrote a number of letters to the Acadian Recorder under the name Agricola. This led to the creation of a provincial agricultural society in 1818. From this society a Central Board of Agriculture was formed in 1819, Young became secretary and treasurer. Young ran unsuccessfully for the Halifax Township seat in the provincial assembly in 1823 before being elected for Sydney County in an 1824 by-election. He died in office in Halifax at the age of 64.
His sons William and George also served in the Nova Scotia assembly and his son Charles was colonial administrator for Prince Edward Island.
Nova Scotian artist William Valentine painted Young's portrait.