born May 12, 1804, York, Upper Canada
died Dec. 9, 1858, Toronto
Canadian politician.
Called to the bar in 1825, Baldwin began his political career as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for York (1829–30). In 1842–43 he and Louis Hippolyte LaFontaine formed the first Liberal Party administration; when the Liberals returned to power in 1848, they were able to establish responsible, or cabinet, government. He resigned in 1851.