William Young (Nova Scotia politician)

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Sir William Young
KCB
File:Sir William Young.jpg
Premier of Nova Scotia
In office
1854–1860
Preceded by James Boyle Uniacke
Succeeded by James William Johnston
MLA for Inverness County
In office
1836–1860
Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
In office
1843–1855
Preceded by Joseph Howe
Succeeded by Stewart Campbell
Personal details
Born (1799-09-08)8 September 1799
Falkirk, Scotland
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political party Reformer
Occupation lawyer
Religion Protestant

Sir William Young, KCB (8 September 1799 – 8 May 1887) was a Nova Scotia politician and jurist.

Born in Falkirk, the son of John Young and Agnes Renny, Young was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1836 as a Reformer (or Liberal) and, as a lawyer, defended Reform journalists accused of libel. When responsible government was instituted in 1848, Young hoped to become the first Premier but was passed over in favour of fellow reformer James Boyle Uniacke and Young became Speaker. However, Young succeeded Uniacke in 1854.

His government was accused of overlooking Catholics and tensions with Catholics were exacerbated by Joseph Howe's rupture with Nova Scotia's Irish Catholic community over his recruitment of Americans to fight on the British side in the Crimean War.

In February 1857, ten Catholic and two Protestant Liberals voted with the Tories to bring down Young's government.

Young returned to power in January 1860 when the Tory government was unable to command a majority in the legislature after an election. In July, the colony's Chief Justice died and Young, who had long coveted the job, was appointed to the position by the lieutenant governor.

He served as Chief Justice for twenty-one years and was noted for placing cushions on his chair so he would tower above his fellow justices. He died in Halifax in 1887.

Legacy

  • Young Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia is named after Sir William Young[1]
  • In 1887 (the same year that the Bandstand was built), the estate of chief justice Sir William Young, donated three statues and six urns from his own garden, to Halifax Public Gardens.[2]
  • Nova Scotian artist William Valentine painted Young's portrait.

References

  1. ↑ Halifax Place Names. Formac. 2002. p.179
  2. ↑ http://www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca/gardens-map/statues-and-vases-donated-by-sir-william-young/
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