James Colledge Pope

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.