Article

James Colledge Pope

Published Online February 18, 2008

Last Edited December 14, 2013

James Colledge Pope, entrepreneur, landed proprietor, land agent, politician, premier of PEI (b at Bedeque, PEI 11 June 1826; d at Summerside, PEI 18 May 1885). Second son in a family prominent in Prince Edward Island business and politics (he was the younger brother of W.H.

Pope, James Colledge

James Colledge Pope, entrepreneur, landed proprietor, land agent, politician, premier of PEI (b at Bedeque, PEI 11 June 1826; d at Summerside, PEI 18 May 1885). Second son in a family prominent in Prince Edward Island business and politics (he was the younger brother of W.H. Pope), he participated in several types of business and was PEI's third-largest shipowner of the 19th century. He entered politics as a Tory in 1857, and served as premier 3 times: 1865-67 (Conservative), 1870-72 (coalition) and April-September 1873 (Conservative). As premier he called upon troops to quell TENANT LEAGUE disturbances in 1865, negotiated purchase of the Cunard estate in 1866, commenced construction of a railway in 1871, and led the Island into Confederation on 1 July 1873. He was elected one of PEI's first 6 federal MPs. He was minister of marine and fisheries in John A. MACDONALD's government 1878-82. Burdened with illness and anxiety arising out of business losses, he died in greatly reduced circumstances.