ROSS, John, Canadian statesman, born in the County Antrim, Ireland, 10 March, 1818; died near Toronto, Canada, 31 January, 1871. He came to Canada with his parents in infancy, and was educated at the district school, I3rockville. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1839, and soon attained reputation as a practitioner and as a supporter of the Liberals. In 1848 Mr. Ross became a member of the legislative council. He declined an executive office in the government, but in 1851 accepted that of solicitor-general, in 1852 he went to England to superintend the completion of the contracts for the construction of the Grand Trunk railway, and he was afterward president of this road for ten years. On his return to Canada he was attorney-general till 1854, and then speaker of the legislative council till April, 1856 ; and in the beginning of 1858 he was appointed receiver-general in the administration of John A. Macdonald, retaining office until his colleagues were out of power in August of the same year. He resumed office a few days later as president of the executive council in Cartier's administration. At the time of the confederation he became a member of the Dominion senate. He was engaged in journalism at one tiIne, and established a newspaper that advocated his favorite political reforms.