Philip Francis Little

Philip Francis Little

Rank:	First 1855-1858
Birth:	1824
Place of Birth:	Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Death:	1897
Place of Death:	Ireland
Profession:	Lawyer
Political Party:	Liberal Party

Philip Francis Little (1824 – October 22, 1897) was the first Premier of Newfoundland between 1855 and 1858. He was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He came to Newfoundland in 1846 and articled in law. He got involved in politics only a few years after. He helped lead the charge for responsible government along with John Kent. After it was granted in 1854, he went on to run a successful campaign as Leader of the predominantly Roman Catholic "Liberal Party". He became Newfoundland's first Premier in 1855.

Little only remained in office until 1858. In that time, he managed to secure Newfoundland's autonomy, in making sure Newfoundland had a say over its own destiny. Then Britain and France came with a plan involving the west coast of Newfoundland.Clarifyme|date=March 2008 Little objected and in a dispatch in 1857, the British cancelled the deal which would have been unfavourable to Newfoundland.

He resigned in 1858 saying "I go now before the milk of Human kindness goes sour for me". He was right in that Newfoundland was about to enter an era of sectarian strife. In 1861, riots broke out over disputed election results from Harbour Grace. Little, who was now Chief Justice, played a prominent role in dispersing and calming the crowds. He later moved to Ireland and did a great deal for the home rule movement there. He died at the age of 73 in 1897 while living in Ireland.

External links

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=6237 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004719 Biography at the "The Canadian Encyclopedia"]