Dr. William Carson : his life, letters and speeches

• Main Authors: Smallwood, Joseph Roberts, 1900-1991, Carson, William, 1770-1843
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: St. John's, Nfld. 1938
• Subjects: Carson; William; 1770-1843; Newfoundland and Labrador > Politics and government > 1763-1855; Newfoundland; Newfoundland studies
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/83954

William Carson, an important figure in Newfoundland history, was a doctor, businessman, and politician. As a doctor in St. John's, Carson aided in the quarantine of a cholera outbreak; as a businessman, he was very involved in farming, and became known as he "father of agriculture"; as a politician, he was the "greatest Newfoundland reformer" and "father of constitutional government" ("William Carson" The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, vol. 1. 1981. p. 362). This biography by Joseph R. Smallwood focuses mainly on Carson's political career, which began when Carson saw the quality of life in Newfoundland, decided that the people deserved better, and began his efforts for responsible government as leader of the reform movement. Included are speeches by Carson and correspondence between Carson and many of his colleagues throughout his political career. -- This is a corrected, annotated version of a typescript document, with the annotations by Joseph R. Smallwood.