Talbot, Thomas, 1771–1853, Canadian colonist, b. Ireland. He was a soldier and first came to Canada in 1790. In 1800 he left the army and obtained a grant of 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) on the north shore of Lake Erie. He subsequently developed an arrangement whereby he received additional grants as more immigrants settled on his land. He founded (1802) Port Talbot and 27 other townships along the lake's shore. Talbot governed in dictatorial style for nearly 50 years.
See F. C. Hamil, Lake Erie Baron: The Story of Colonel Thomas Talbot (1955).
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