Albert James Smith

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Hon. Sir Albert James Smith, April 1868
Hon. Sir Albert James Smith, April 1868

Sir Albert James Smith, PC, KCMG (March 12, 1822June 30, 1883) was a New Brunswick politician and opponent of Canadian confederation. Smith's grandfather was a United Empire Loyalist who left Massachusetts to settle in New Brunswick after the American Revolution.

A. J. Smith's former home, called Younglands, on Shediac Bay, New Brunswick
A. J. Smith's former home, called Younglands, on Shediac Bay, New Brunswick

Smith entered politics in 1852 entering the House of Assembly as an opponent of the Tory compact that ran the colony and became a leading reform and advocate of responsible government which was granted to the colony in 1854. Smith became a member of the reform government that took power that year and went on to become Attorney-General in 1861 under Premier Samuel Leonard Tilley. Smith split with Tilley over railway policy and Canadian confederation with Smith becoming leader of the Anti-Confederates winning the 1865 election but was forced from office the next year by the lieutenant-governor.

Smith reconciled with Confederation after it became a fact and became minister of fisheries in the Liberal government of Alexander Mackenzie in 1873.

[edit] Further reading

  • J. E. Belliveau, 1976, The Splendid Life of Albert Smith and the Women he Left Behind, Windsor, NS: Lancelot Press

[edit] References

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
none
Member of Parliament from Westmorland
1867–1882
Succeeded by
Josiah Wood
Languages