Philip Francis Little
Encyclopedia
Philip Francis Little was the first Premier of Newfoundland Colony
between 1855 and 1858. He was born in Charlottetown
, Prince Edward Island
. Little studied law there with Charles Young
and was admitted to the bar in 1844. He came to Newfoundland
in 1846 and articled in law. He got involved in politics only a few years after. He helped lead the charge for responsible government
along with John Kent. After it was granted in 1854, he went on to run a successful campaign as Leader of the predominantly Roman Catholic Liberal Party
. He became Newfoundland's first Premier in 1855.
Little only remained in office until 1858, to be succeeded by John Kent. In that time, he managed to secure Newfoundland's autonomy, in making sure Newfoundland had a say over its own destiny. Then Britain
and France
came with a plan involving the west coast of Newfoundland. Little objected and in a dispatch in 1857, the British cancelled the deal which would have been unfavourable to Newfoundland.
He resigned in 1858 saying "I go now before the milk of Human kindness goes sour for me". He was right in that Newfoundland was about to enter an era of sectarian strife. In 1861, riots broke out over disputed election results from Harbour Grace. Little, who was now Chief Justice, played a prominent role in dispersing and calming the crowds. He later moved to Ireland
and did a great deal for the home rule
movement there. He died at the age of 73 in 1897 while living in Monkstown, Ireland
.
He married Mary Jane Holdright in 1864 and they had 13 Children. Their youngest child Patrick Little
was a senior Irish Politician.
Newfoundland Colony
Newfoundland Colony was England's first permanent colony in the New World.From 1610 to 1728, Proprietary Governors were appointed to establish colonial settlements on the island. John Guy was governor of the first settlement at Cuper's Cove. Other settlements were Bristol's Hope, Renews, New...
between 1855 and 1858. He was born in Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. Little studied law there with Charles Young
Charles Young (governor)
Charles Young was a Scottish-born lawyer, judge and political figure in Prince Edward Island. He served as administrator for Prince Edward Island in 1859....
and was admitted to the bar in 1844. He came to Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
in 1846 and articled in law. He got involved in politics only a few years after. He helped lead the charge for responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
along with John Kent. After it was granted in 1854, he went on to run a successful campaign as Leader of the predominantly Roman Catholic Liberal Party
Liberal parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)
For the modern Liberal Party see Liberal Party of Newfoundland and LabradorSeveral earlier groupings functioned in the Dominion of Newfoundland under the name Liberal Party of Newfoundland from the granting of responsible government to the island in the 1850s until its suspension in 1934 when the...
. He became Newfoundland's first Premier in 1855.
Little only remained in office until 1858, to be succeeded by John Kent. In that time, he managed to secure Newfoundland's autonomy, in making sure Newfoundland had a say over its own destiny. Then Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
came with a plan involving the west coast of Newfoundland. Little objected and in a dispatch in 1857, the British cancelled the deal which would have been unfavourable to Newfoundland.
He resigned in 1858 saying "I go now before the milk of Human kindness goes sour for me". He was right in that Newfoundland was about to enter an era of sectarian strife. In 1861, riots broke out over disputed election results from Harbour Grace. Little, who was now Chief Justice, played a prominent role in dispersing and calming the crowds. He later moved to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and did a great deal for the home rule
Home rule
Home rule is the power of a constituent part of a state to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been devolved to it by the central government....
movement there. He died at the age of 73 in 1897 while living in Monkstown, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
He married Mary Jane Holdright in 1864 and they had 13 Children. Their youngest child Patrick Little
Patrick Little
Patrick J. "P. J." Little was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A founder-member of the party, he served in a number of Cabinet positions, most notably as the country's longest-serving Minister for Posts and Telegraphs....
was a senior Irish Politician.