Born in Toronto, Baldwin devoted his political life to a single cause. As a member of the assembly (1829-30 and 1841-51), as Executive Councillor (1841), as Solicitor General (1840-1), and as Co-Premier (1842-43 and 1848-51), he remained true to his vision until the second Baldwin-LaFontaine Administration established the principle of Responsible Government in Canada. That ministry also passed the Rebellion Losses Bill and laid the foundation for the municipal system in Ontario. Tired by the struggle, sick and unsympathetic to a rising tide of radicalism, he resigned in 1851. He died at Toronto.