George William Allan

George William Allan (1822–1901) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 11th Mayor of Toronto and later as Speaker of the Senate of Canada. Born in Toronto, he attended Upper Canada College and joined the Bank Rifle Corps during the 1837 Rebellion. After studying law, he began his practice in 1846 and married Louisa Maud Robinson that year. Allan traveled extensively across Europe, the Nile River region, Syria, the Holy Land, Turkey, and Greece, which earned him membership in the Royal Geographical Society.

He served as a Toronto alderman from 1849 to 1855 before being elected Mayor of Toronto in 1855. Allan entered national politics in 1858, representing York on the Legislative Council until Canadian Confederation. In 1867, he was appointed to the Senate and served as a Conservative member. He became Speaker of the Senate from 1888 to 1891 and remained there until his death.

Allan was passionate about education, science, culture, and art. He was a key patron of artist Paul Kane and supported institutions like the Royal Canadian Institute and the Ontario Society of Artists. He donated land for Allan Gardens in Toronto and held leadership roles in organizations such as the Toronto Conservatory of Music and the Ontario Historical Society.

Born to William Allan, a pioneer and postmaster, and Leah Tyrer Gamble, Allan married Adelaide Schreiber after Louisa's death, with whom he had six children. He died at his residence, Moss Park, in Toronto, in 1901.