Burr Plato

Burr Plato (c. 1844 – 1905) was a Canadian political figure.

Of African-American background, he was born into slavery in Virginia. Burr succeeded in moving to Canada in 1856 after an arduous journey culminating in a swim to freedom across the Niagara River to Canada West, where he settled.^[1] With a reputation locally in Niagara Falls, Ontario, for honesty in business affairs, Plato became a prominent property owner and served from 1886 to 1901 in Niagara Falls as an elected councillor.

Plato died in 1905.

References

• City of Niagara Falls Museums - Black History at www.niagarafallsmuseum.ca
• Electoral firsts in Canada#African-Canadians