Steeves, Hon. William Henry National Historic Person
Hillsborough, New Brunswick
William Henry Steeves
(© Library and Archives Canada | Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / C-007561)
Address :
40 Mill Street, Hillsborough, New Brunswick
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1939-05-29
Life Date:
1814 to 1873
Other Name(s):
-
Steeves, Hon. William Henry
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
2005-047
Importance:
Father of Confederation, industrialist, senator (1867-73)
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 40 Mill Street, Hillsborough, New Brunswick
A Father of Confederation, Steeves was born here in Hillsborough and was already prominent as a merchant and lumberman when he entered politics. He represented Albert County in New Brunswick's Legislative Assembly (1846-1851), was appointed to the Legislative Council (1851-1867), and was a member of the provincial cabinets almost continuously from 1854 to 1865. He was called to the Senate of Canada in 1867. Bringing a reform-minded business perspective to politics, Steeves favoured initiatives, such as the Intercolonial Railway and Confederation, which he felt would further New Brunswick's economic development.