James Henry Coyne 1849-1942

Born in St. Thomas, Upper Canada, Coyne became Registrar of Deeds and, subsequently, Master of Titles, for Elgin County. Deeply interested in local history, he founded the Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute, was President of the Pioneer and Historical Association of Ontario in 1897, President of the Ontario Historical Society (1898-1902), and member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (1919-1930). His wide-ranging historical interests and his writings were recognized by his election as F.R.S.C. in 1906, as F.R.G.S. in 1926, and as President of the Royal Society for 1926-7. He died at St. Thomas.