Theodore Davie

Theodore Davie ( born March 22, 1852 in Brixton, London, † March 7, 1898 in Victoria ) was a Canadian politician, lawyer and judge. July 2, 1892 to March 4, 1895 he was the prime minister of British Columbia, then until his death chairman of the Supreme Court of this province. His older brother AEB Davie had also been head of the government of British Columbia in front of him.

Biography

His youth Davie spent at sea as a cabin boy. He came to Victoria in 1867 and lived with his father, who had emigrated five years earlier there. Like his brother, he studied law. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar and practiced afterwards in Cassiar and Nanaimo. He finally settled down in Victoria and was regarded as a leading expert in criminal law.

In July 1882 Davie was elected as MP for the constituency of Victoria in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (at that time there were no parties). He supported his brother, who was from 1887 to 1889 head of government. His successor, John Robson appointed Davie for Attorney General. On July 2, 1892, three days after Robson's death, Deputy Governor Hugh Nelson as the new Prime Minister appointed him.

Davies government adopted a new electoral law, which granted the increasingly important mainland portion of the province a greater representation in the provincial legislature. Railroad companies were given financial support to encourage the construction of new routes and in order to stimulate the economy. Despite demands to move the capital to the mainland, the government approved the construction of the parliament building in Victoria. Davie resigned on March 4, 1895 and a week was elected chairman of the Supreme Court of the province later. This office he held for almost three years until his death.

767617
de