About Sir John Thompson:
Sir John Thompson was the first provincial premier to become prime minister of Canada and the first Roman Catholic prime minister of Canada. Sir John Thompson died suddenly after just two years as Canadian prime minister. His major contribution was the Canadian Criminal Code of 1892.
Prime Minister of Canada:
1892-94
Birth:
November 10, 1845 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Death:
December 12, 1894 at Windsor Castle, England
Education:
Free Church Academy, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Professions:
- Lawyer
- Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice
- Founder of Dalhousie Law School
Political Affiliation:
Ridings (Electoral Districts):
- Antigonish (provincial)
- Antigonish (federal)
Political Career of Sir John Thompson:
- John Thompson was elected as an alderman for the municipality of Halifax in 1871.
- He was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly in 1877.
- He was appointed Attorney General of Nova Scotia in 1877.
- On the retirement of Simon Holmes, John Thompson became leader of the Nova Scotia Conservative Party and Premier of Nova Scotia in 1882.
- The Nova Scotia Conservative government was defeated later in 1882.
- John Thompson was elected to the House of Commons in 1885.
- He also became Minister of Justice in 1885.
- John Thompson became Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister when Sir John Abbott resigned due to ill health in 1892.
- John Thompson died suddenly of a heart attack shortly after being sworn in as a member of the Imperial Privy Council by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle, England.
- Sir Mackenzie Bowell became the next Prime Minister of Canada.
