3rd Premier of the Newfoundland Colony. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in this position from March 1861 until March 1865. Born in St. John's, Newfoundland, he was the first Premier to have been born in Newfoundland. He received his education in Nova Scotia and trained there to become a lawyer. Returning to St. John's in 1842, he established his law practice and entered politics six years later when he was elected to the Newfoundland Legislative Assembly and soon became leader of his Conservative Party. He supported the proposition to divide the Protestant educational grant that put Anglicans on the same footing with Catholics, which alienated those of the Methodist faith, causing his Party to lose the 1855 general election, In 1859 he lost his seat in the Legislature. In 1861 he was hired to challenge Premier John Kent's plans to reduce the senior judges' salaries, resulting in Kent's removal from office and he was appointed to replace him. During his tenure, he sought to reduce tensions between the Catholics and the Protestants by inviting Catholics to join his administration and distribute all patronage fairly between all religious groups. In March 1865 he resigned his position and was succeeded by Sir Frederick Carter. After he left office, he became Chief Justice of the Newfoundland Supreme Court and in 1869 he was knighted by British Queen Victoria. In 1880 he retired from the bench and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia to live with his daughter and he died there at the age of 73.
3rd Premier of the Newfoundland Colony. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in this position from March 1861 until March 1865. Born in St. John's, Newfoundland, he was the first Premier to have been born in Newfoundland. He received his education in Nova Scotia and trained there to become a lawyer. Returning to St. John's in 1842, he established his law practice and entered politics six years later when he was elected to the Newfoundland Legislative Assembly and soon became leader of his Conservative Party. He supported the proposition to divide the Protestant educational grant that put Anglicans on the same footing with Catholics, which alienated those of the Methodist faith, causing his Party to lose the 1855 general election, In 1859 he lost his seat in the Legislature. In 1861 he was hired to challenge Premier John Kent's plans to reduce the senior judges' salaries, resulting in Kent's removal from office and he was appointed to replace him. During his tenure, he sought to reduce tensions between the Catholics and the Protestants by inviting Catholics to join his administration and distribute all patronage fairly between all religious groups. In March 1865 he resigned his position and was succeeded by Sir Frederick Carter. After he left office, he became Chief Justice of the Newfoundland Supreme Court and in 1869 he was knighted by British Queen Victoria. In 1880 he retired from the bench and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia to live with his daughter and he died there at the age of 73.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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