Prideaux Selby (baptised 21 December 1747 – 9 May 1813) was an English soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.

Prideaux Selby
Executive Council of Upper Canada for York
In office
1808–1813
Auditor General of Land Patents for Upper Canada
In office
1809–1813
Preceded byWilliam Hallan
Succeeded byJohn McGill
Personal details
Born(1747-12-21)21 December 1747
Alnwick, Northumberland, England
Died9 May 1813(1813-05-09) (aged 65)
York, Upper Canada
SpouseElizabeth m. 1772
ChildrenPrideaux Selby Jr – son
Occupationmilitary officer, public official

He was born in Alnwick, Northumberland, England a son of the Holy Island branch of the Selby family.

He joined the 5th Foot Regiment in Ireland in 1781, and arrived in Detroit with the regiment in 1790. In 1792, he was appointed assistant secretary of Indian Affairs by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and took up residence in Amherstburg. In 1802, he became a justice of the peace in the Western District. In 1807, he moved to York (Toronto). In 1808, he was appointed to the Executive Council of Upper Canada and appointed receiver general. In 1809, he was also appointed auditor general.

In the spring of 1813, he became seriously ill and died in May of the same year.

He had married in England in about 1772. His son, also Prideaux Selby was born in London and ultimately inherited family estates at Swansfield House, Alnwick and Pawston, Northumberland.

References

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  • The History and Antiquities of North Durham Rev James Raine MA (1852) p 338
Government offices
Preceded by Auditor General of Land Patents for Upper Canada
1809–1813
Succeeded by
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