Robson, John

ROBSON, John, journalist, politician, premier 2 Aug 1889–death (b 14 Mar 1824, Perth, ON; d 29 June 1892, London, England). A merchant in western Ontario, he came to BC in 1859 to seek his fortune in the goldfields (see GOLD RUSHES). Instead he ended up in NEW WESTMINSTER, where in 1861 he became editor of the British Columbian newspaper. He used the paper to attack the hegemony of Gov James DOUGLAS and the VANCOUVER ISLAND clique and to agitate for more democratic institutions. In 1866, when Vancouver Island and the mainland joined, he was elected to the legislative council, but when VICTORIA was named capital of the united colony he moved there, becoming editor of the Daily British Colonist. An active campaigner for CONFEDERATION, he was a member of the provincial assembly for NANAIMO from 1871 to 1875. By 1882 he had re-established himself in New Westminster with a new British Columbian and a new seat in the legislature. He was a member of the CABINET under William SMITHE and A.E.B. DAVIE until Davie's death, when he became PREMIER. As premier he tried to promote railway building and to control speculation in land and other resources, but his effectiveness was limited by declining health and an inability to control his cabinet. He died of blood poisoning while visiting England. See also NEWSPAPERS.