Robert John Kent
Encyclopedia
Robert John Kent was an Irish
-born lawyer and politician in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's East
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
from 1873 to 1886.
He was born in Waterford
, the son of James Kent and Mary Carigan. He came to Newfoundland in 1856, working as a clerk for his uncle John Kent. Kent studied law with Hugh William Hoyles and was called to the bar in 1864. He entered practice with Joseph Ignatius Little
in St. John's
. In 1866, he married Ellen F. Donnelly. He was first elected to the assembly as a supporter of Charles James Fox Bennett. Kent's law firm represented the Newfoundland Railway Company. In 1884 and 1885, he defended 19 Catholic
s charged with murder following riots involving Orange and Catholic supporters in Harbour Grace. He was speaker
for the Newfoundland assembly from 1883 until 1885, when Kent resigned as speaker after a Conservative-Liberal coalition broke up. He left politics in 1886. Kent also served as president of the Benevolent Irish Society from 1883 to 1891 and of the Law Society of Newfoundland from 1888 to 1893. He died in St. John's in 1893.
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...
-born lawyer and politician in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's East
St. John's East (provincial electoral district)
St. John's East is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011 there are 8,063 eligible voters living within the district....
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
from 1873 to 1886.
He was born in Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, the son of James Kent and Mary Carigan. He came to Newfoundland in 1856, working as a clerk for his uncle John Kent. Kent studied law with Hugh William Hoyles and was called to the bar in 1864. He entered practice with Joseph Ignatius Little
Joseph Ignatius Little
Sir Joseph Ignatius Little was a lawyer, politician, and judge in the Colony of Newfoundland.Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the son of Cornelius Little and Brigid Costin, he was a lawyer by profession. Little was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Harbour...
in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. In 1866, he married Ellen F. Donnelly. He was first elected to the assembly as a supporter of Charles James Fox Bennett. Kent's law firm represented the Newfoundland Railway Company. In 1884 and 1885, he defended 19 Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
s charged with murder following riots involving Orange and Catholic supporters in Harbour Grace. He was speaker
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador is the presiding officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.The current Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is Ross Wiseman, who was uncontested for the role following the 2011 General...
for the Newfoundland assembly from 1883 until 1885, when Kent resigned as speaker after a Conservative-Liberal coalition broke up. He left politics in 1886. Kent also served as president of the Benevolent Irish Society from 1883 to 1891 and of the Law Society of Newfoundland from 1888 to 1893. He died in St. John's in 1893.