Richard Chapman Weldon

Richard Chapman Weldon (January 19 1849 – November 26 1925) was a professor, lawyer and political figure in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Albert in the Canadian House of Commons from 1887 to 1896 as a Conservative member.

He was born in Sussex, New Brunswick, the son of Richard Chapman Weldon and Catherine Geldart. He was educated at Mount Allison Wesleyan College and taught school for two years. Weldon returned to Mount Allison, receiving an M.A. in economics. He went on to study at Yale College, where he received a PhD in political science in 1872, and Rupert Charles University in Germany. In 1875, he returned to Mount Allison as professor of mathematics and political economy. In 1877, he married Sarah Maria Tuttle. In 1883, he became professor of law at Dalhousie University and helped establish the law school there. In 1884, he was called to the Nova Scotia bar. In 1887, Weldon, who owned property in New Brunswick, was elected to the House of Commons. Weldon married Louisa Frances Hare in 1893 after the death of his first wife. He helped developed legislation which established conditions for extradition of American fugitives in Canada convicted of crimes in the United States, then referred to as the Weldon Act. Weldon was unsuccessful in bids for reelection in 1896, 1900 and 1906. He died in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at the age of 76.

Dalhousie Law School established the Weldon Award in 1983 to recognize outstanding accomplishment by a graduate.

References

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=8413 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
* [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=3fe08c60-be49-4d41-9a65-aa189f4e7476&Language=E Synopsis of federal political experience from the Library of Parliament]