Canning Highway

CANNING HIGHWAY

Canning Highway is named after the river it crosses which, in turn, is named after George Canning (1770-1827), an "eminent British Statesman", who for a [very] brief period was Prime Minister of Great Britain.He was the son of an actress and a failed businessman and lawyer [wine merchant who died in poverty on his son's first birthday]. George was supported financially by his Uncle Stratford Canning, which allowed him to attend Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford.George Canning entered politics in 1793 at the age of 23 and rose rapidly. He held various senior cabinet roles under several Prime Ministers.When the Earl of Liverpool resigned as Prime Minister in April 1827, Canning was chosen to succeed him ahead of the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel [they weren't too pleased about serving under him and declined]. Canning died on 8 August 1827, having served as Prime Minister for the last 118 days of his life.So, given this, why is a river and highway in Perth named after him? George Canning was apparently the instigator of James Stirling's expedition to find a suitable colony on the West coast.

 - Street name origins in Melville by Jacqualine Farrington, Research Secretary with the Melville History Society

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