2nd Premier of the Colony of Newfoundland. A member of the Liberal Party, he served in this position from July 1858 until March 1861. Born in Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland, he emigrated to Newfoundland in 1820 to work as a clerk for his uncle. In 1832 he entered politics when he was elected to Newfoundland's first Legislative Assembly. A Roman Catholic, he was a staunch defender of Catholic rights. He was involved in the reform movement that would persuade the British Colonial Office to institute a colonial government. From 1848 until 1855 he served as Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly. When Philip Francis Little became the Newfoundland Colony's 1st Premier in 1855, he served the Colonial Secretary. When Little resigned from office in July 1858 to become a judge on the Newfoundland Supreme Court, Kent took over as Premier. During his tenure, his Liberal Party (comprised mostly of Catholics) frequently clashed with the Conservative Party (comprised mostly of Protestants). Following corruption within his Party, the government was defeated in the 1861 election, and he was replaced as Premier by Hugh Hoyles. In 1865 he was appointed Receiver General of the Colony, and in 1869 he attended the Canadian Confederation Conference in Ottawa as a Newfoundland Colony delegate. Following the Confederation's defeat by the Newfoundland government, he retired from politics. He died in St. John's, Newfoundland around the age of 72.
2nd Premier of the Colony of Newfoundland. A member of the Liberal Party, he served in this position from July 1858 until March 1861. Born in Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland, he emigrated to Newfoundland in 1820 to work as a clerk for his uncle. In 1832 he entered politics when he was elected to Newfoundland's first Legislative Assembly. A Roman Catholic, he was a staunch defender of Catholic rights. He was involved in the reform movement that would persuade the British Colonial Office to institute a colonial government. From 1848 until 1855 he served as Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly. When Philip Francis Little became the Newfoundland Colony's 1st Premier in 1855, he served the Colonial Secretary. When Little resigned from office in July 1858 to become a judge on the Newfoundland Supreme Court, Kent took over as Premier. During his tenure, his Liberal Party (comprised mostly of Catholics) frequently clashed with the Conservative Party (comprised mostly of Protestants). Following corruption within his Party, the government was defeated in the 1861 election, and he was replaced as Premier by Hugh Hoyles. In 1865 he was appointed Receiver General of the Colony, and in 1869 he attended the Canadian Confederation Conference in Ottawa as a Newfoundland Colony delegate. Following the Confederation's defeat by the Newfoundland government, he retired from politics. He died in St. John's, Newfoundland around the age of 72.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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