5th Premier of the Colony of Newfoundland. A member of the Anti-Confederation Party, he served in this position from 1870 until 1874. Born Charles James Fox Bennett in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, he emigrated to St. John's Newfoundland Colony in 1808 and became a merchant in the export/import business. His business interests soon spread to the shipbuilding, fishing, and distilling industries, and he became one of the wealthiest men in Newfoundland. In 1842 he entered politics when he ran for and was elected to the Newfoundland Legislative Assembly. A staunch opponent to Newfoundland entering the Canadian Confederation, during the 1860s he led the Anti-Confederation Party which defeated the Conservative Party in the 1869 general election and the following year he became Premier, replacing Sir Frederick Carter. Unable to keep his Party united, he resigned his position in 1874 and Carter replaced him. He remained in the Legislative Assembly until 1878 and died in St. John's at the age of 80. His opposition to the Canadian Confederation would help to keep Newfoundland a separate colony and later a dominion until it finally became a Canadian province in 1949.
5th Premier of the Colony of Newfoundland. A member of the Anti-Confederation Party, he served in this position from 1870 until 1874. Born Charles James Fox Bennett in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, he emigrated to St. John's Newfoundland Colony in 1808 and became a merchant in the export/import business. His business interests soon spread to the shipbuilding, fishing, and distilling industries, and he became one of the wealthiest men in Newfoundland. In 1842 he entered politics when he ran for and was elected to the Newfoundland Legislative Assembly. A staunch opponent to Newfoundland entering the Canadian Confederation, during the 1860s he led the Anti-Confederation Party which defeated the Conservative Party in the 1869 general election and the following year he became Premier, replacing Sir Frederick Carter. Unable to keep his Party united, he resigned his position in 1874 and Carter replaced him. He remained in the Legislative Assembly until 1878 and died in St. John's at the age of 80. His opposition to the Canadian Confederation would help to keep Newfoundland a separate colony and later a dominion until it finally became a Canadian province in 1949.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
Of Shaftesbury Dorset Shire. In the 91st year of his age.
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