Tupper, Sir Charles, Bart

(1821- )

   Born at Amherst, Nova Scotia. Educated at Acadia College, and at Edinburgh. In 1843 graduated M.D., and won the diploma of the Edinburgh Royal College of Surgeons. For some years practised medicine at Amherst, Nova Scotia. In 1855 began his political career, being elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature for Cumberland County. In 1856, when the Johnstone Cabinet was formed, became provincial secretary, serving until 1860. From 1864 to 1867 prime minister of Nova Scotia. In 1867 elected member for Cumberland to the first Dominion Parliament; president of the Privy Council, 1870; minister of inland revenue, 1872-1873; minister of customs, 1873; minister of public works, 1878; minister of railways and canals, 1879-1884. Held the position of high commissioner for Canada in England, 1884-1887; and was member of the Fisheries Conference, 1887. Returning to Canada, was appointed minister of finance, 1887. Created a baronet, 1888. Again became high commissioner, 1888, holding the position until 1896. Returned to Canada, 1896; leader of the House of Commons in the Bowell administration; four months later on the retirement of Sir M. Bowell, prime minister of Canada, but was not upheld at the polls on June 23, 1896. From 1896 to 1900 leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, but being defeated in the election of 1906, retired from active political life.

   Index: E Leads movement for Imperial Zollverein, 59, 101. B Tours Canada with other delegates after Quebec Conference, 166. C Secures baronetcy for Cartier, 128; his letter to Duke of Buckingham, 129. H Establishes free school system in Nova Scotia, 1864, 80; meets Joseph Howe on political platform in Cumberland County, 1852, 155-156; defeats him in 1855, 156-157; leads opposition in Legislature, 163; uses Howe's attack on Irish Roman Catholics as a handle to overthrow the government, 163-164; becomes provincial secretary, 167; his fight in Legislature to keep government in office, 168; his retrenchment scheme, 1863, 171; elected by acclamation in Cumberland, 171-172; becomes leader of government, 172; quotes Howe against himself in Confederation controversy, 173; his scheme for union of Maritime Provinces, 175-180; advocates Confederation, 186-189; forms provincial government, 1867, 198; offered but declines seat in first Dominion Cabinet, 198; stumps the province against Howe, 199; sole advocate of Confederation elected in Nova Scotia, 202; secures recruits from the other side, 203; opposes Nova Scotia repealers in London, 204-205; his interview with Howe, 205-206; letter to Macdonald, 207; urges Macdonald to visit Nova Scotia, 209; contributes political articles to magazines, 258. Md Premier of Nova Scotia, arranges Conference at Charlottetown, to discuss Confederation, 104; attends Conference at Quebec, 104-114; passes through the House a law establishing compulsory education, 116; Macdonald's first lieutenant, 139; opposes Howe's petition to home government for repeal of British North America Act, 143-144; letter from Macdonald, 184; supports Macdonald and national policy, 220; his co-operation with Macdonald, 269-270; summoned from his post of high commissioner to assist in election campaign of 1891, 315. T Favourable to uniform tariff for Maritime Provinces, 70; delegate to Charlottetown Conference, 73; to Quebec Conference, 76; presented to the queen, 124; given a C. B., 132.

   Bib.: Dent, Can. Por. and Last Forty Years; Taylor, Brit. Am.; Morgan, Can. Men; Thibault, Biography of Sir Charles Tupper; Saunders, Three Premiers of Nova Scotia; Campbell, History of Nova Scotia.