15th Premier of British Columbia. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in this position form November 1902 until June 1903. Born in England, he worked as a mining engineer until he emigrated to Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada in 1873 where he became an assistant manager of the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company. In 1878 he resigned his job to become the Inspector of Mines for the British Government. Two years later, he left that position and founded an iron and hardware business. In July 1886 he entered politics when he was elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly from Victoria City and two years later he was elected to the Canadian Parliament from the Victoria district, serving until December 1901. In March 1902 he was re-elected to the British Columbia Legislature from Victoria City and became Minister of Mines, serving until June 1903. In November 1902 he became Prime Minister, replacing James Dunsmuir. His tenure was cut short seven months later when he was dismissed by the provincial lieutenant governor for a conflict of interest arising from his business being awarded a vital construction contract, and he was succeeded by Richard McBride. In December 1919 he was appointed the 11th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, replacing Francis Stillman Barnard, but died in office a year later at the age of 67, and was succeeded by Walter Cameron Nichol.
15th Premier of British Columbia. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in this position form November 1902 until June 1903. Born in England, he worked as a mining engineer until he emigrated to Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada in 1873 where he became an assistant manager of the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company. In 1878 he resigned his job to become the Inspector of Mines for the British Government. Two years later, he left that position and founded an iron and hardware business. In July 1886 he entered politics when he was elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly from Victoria City and two years later he was elected to the Canadian Parliament from the Victoria district, serving until December 1901. In March 1902 he was re-elected to the British Columbia Legislature from Victoria City and became Minister of Mines, serving until June 1903. In November 1902 he became Prime Minister, replacing James Dunsmuir. His tenure was cut short seven months later when he was dismissed by the provincial lieutenant governor for a conflict of interest arising from his business being awarded a vital construction contract, and he was succeeded by Richard McBride. In December 1919 he was appointed the 11th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, replacing Francis Stillman Barnard, but died in office a year later at the age of 67, and was succeeded by Walter Cameron Nichol.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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