Frederick Peters
Encyclopedia
Frederick Peters was a lawyer and Prince Edward Island
politician, who served as the sixth Premier of Prince Edward Island
.
and educated at King's College
in Nova Scotia
. Frederick's parents were Judge James Horsfield Peters (whose grandparents James Peters and Margaret Lester were United Empire Loyalists from New York
) and Mary Cunard (eldest daughter of Sir Samuel Cunard). He went on to study law in England and was called to bar there in 1876. He was called to the bars of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia later that year and set up practice in Charlottetown.
in 1890. He was asked to form a government in 1891 after the Conservative government lost a motion of confidence in the house. The Peters government abolished both the Legislative Council
and the House of Assembly
and brought in a new legislative assembly
to create a unicameral form of government. Peters served as Premier until resigning in 1897 to move to British Columbia
though he retained his seat in the legislature until 1899 despite no longer residing in the province.
John Hamilton Gray
) in Charlottetown in 1886. Their sons John Francklyn Peters and Gerald Hamilton Peters died in action in World War I. Another son, Frederick Thornton Peters
, died in November 1942 five days after action in the Allied invasion of Oran
for which he received the Victoria Cross
and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross
. Frederick's brother, Arthur Peters
was also active in politics, serving as premier from 1901 to 1908.
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...
politician, who served as the sixth Premier of Prince Edward Island
Premier of Prince Edward Island
The Premier of Prince Edward Island is the first minister for the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive.The current Premier of Prince Edward Island is Robert Ghiz.-See also:...
.
Early life and career
Peters was born in CharlottetownCharlottetown
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...
and educated at King's College
University of King's College
The University of King's College is a post-secondary institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. King's is a small liberal arts university offering mainly undergraduate programs....
in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. Frederick's parents were Judge James Horsfield Peters (whose grandparents James Peters and Margaret Lester were United Empire Loyalists from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) and Mary Cunard (eldest daughter of Sir Samuel Cunard). He went on to study law in England and was called to bar there in 1876. He was called to the bars of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia later that year and set up practice in Charlottetown.
Political career
A Liberal, Peters won election to the House of AssemblyHouse of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
in 1890. He was asked to form a government in 1891 after the Conservative government lost a motion of confidence in the house. The Peters government abolished both the Legislative Council
Legislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
and the House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
and brought in a new legislative assembly
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch.The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries....
to create a unicameral form of government. Peters served as Premier until resigning in 1897 to move to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
though he retained his seat in the legislature until 1899 despite no longer residing in the province.
Personal life
Peters married Roberta Hamilton Susan Gray (daughter of P.E.I. Father of ConfederationFathers of Confederation
The Fathers of Confederation are the people who attended the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences in 1864 and the London Conference of 1866 in England, preceding Canadian Confederation. The following lists the participants in the Charlottetown, Quebec, and London Conferences and their attendance at...
John Hamilton Gray
John Hamilton Gray (Prince Edward Island politician)
John Hamilton Gray was Premier of Prince Edward Island from 1863 – 1865 and one of the Fathers of Confederation...
) in Charlottetown in 1886. Their sons John Francklyn Peters and Gerald Hamilton Peters died in action in World War I. Another son, Frederick Thornton Peters
Frederick Thornton Peters
Frederick Thornton Peters, VC, DSO, DSC & Bar was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Frederick Thornton "Fritz" Peters was 53 years old, and a captain in...
, died in November 1942 five days after action in the Allied invasion of Oran
Operation Reservist
Operation Reservist was an Allied military operation during World War II. Part of Operation Torch , it was an attempted landing of troops directly into the harbour at Oran....
for which he received the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
. Frederick's brother, Arthur Peters
Arthur Peters
Arthur Peters was the ninth Premier of Prince Edward Island.Arthur Peters and his brother Frederick Peters were born in Charlottetown....
was also active in politics, serving as premier from 1901 to 1908.