William Elder (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
William Elder was a Presbyterian clergyman, journalist
and political figure in New Brunswick
. He represented St. John County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1875 to 1883.
He was born in Malin, County Donegal
, Ireland
and studied theology at Belfast College, the University of Glasgow
, the University of Edinburgh
and New College, Edinburgh
. Elder came to New Brunswick as a missionary in 1853. In 1856, he established the Colonial Presbyterian and Protestant Journal. In 1865, he founded the Morning Journal at Saint John
. In 1869, that newspaper merged with the Morning Telegraph to form the St. John Daily Telegraph and Morning Journal (later the Telegraph-Journal
), with John Livingston as owner and Elder as editor. At the same time, his Colonial Presbyterian merged with the Presbyterian Advocate. In 1871, he became sole owner of both newspapers. Elder was also a director for the Saint John Grammar School Board and the Saint John Board of Trade.
In 1872, Elder ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons
. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
in an 1875 by-election held after the death of Joseph Coram. In 1883, he was named provincial secretary, president and chairman of the Board of Agriculture
. He died in office in Saint John
several months later.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and political figure in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. He represented St. John County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
from 1875 to 1883.
He was born in Malin, County Donegal
Malin, County Donegal
Malin is a village in County Donegal, Ireland, situated 6km north of Carndonagh. A further 13km north further is Malin Head, the most northerly point of the island of Ireland....
, 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 studied theology at Belfast College, the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
and New College, Edinburgh
New College, Edinburgh
New College was opened in 1846 as a college of the Free Church of Scotland, later of the United Free Church of Scotland, and from the 1930s has been the home of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh...
. Elder came to New Brunswick as a missionary in 1853. In 1856, he established the Colonial Presbyterian and Protestant Journal. In 1865, he founded the Morning Journal at Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
. In 1869, that newspaper merged with the Morning Telegraph to form the St. John Daily Telegraph and Morning Journal (later the Telegraph-Journal
Telegraph-Journal
The Telegraph-Journal is a daily newspaper published in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It publishes a hybrid newspaper, serving as a provincial daily while catering to the Saint John audience in its City and Sports sections. The newspaper is published by Brunswick News, owned by J. K. Irving...
), with John Livingston as owner and Elder as editor. At the same time, his Colonial Presbyterian merged with the Presbyterian Advocate. In 1871, he became sole owner of both newspapers. Elder was also a director for the Saint John Grammar School Board and the Saint John Board of Trade.
In 1872, Elder ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
in an 1875 by-election held after the death of Joseph Coram. In 1883, he was named provincial secretary, president and chairman of the Board of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture (New Brunswick)
The Department of Agriculture was a department in the Government of New Brunswick, Canada. It was responsible for management of the Province's Agriculture industries. The member of the Executive Council responsible for the departmenmt was initially called the Commissioner of Agriculture...
. He died in office in Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
several months later.