F.B.T Carter (Frederick Bowker Terrington Carter)
Sir Frederick Bowker Terrington Carter, the Grand Old Man of Newfoundland politics, dominated the legal and political scene in the island colony for almost half a century. He was born in St. John's, Feb. 12, 1819, and after being educated there and in Britain, entered politics by gaining a seat in the Newfoundland House of Assembly in May, 1855. Ten years later he became premier and held office most of the time until 1869, the year that the islanders finally rejected Carter and his pro-Confederation plans. Actually at the time of the 1864 Confederation talks he was Speaker of the Newfoundland House. He regained the premiership in 1874. He left active politics in 1877 when he was named acting assistant judge of the Newfoundland Supreme Court. A year later he became chief justice. That was the year he first became administrator of the colony, a position he filled several times. In 1878 he was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, the first native Newfoundlander to be so honoured.
He died in St. John's, on March 1, 1900. Carter's major work for his province was perhaps the part he played in the great dispute with the United States and France over the Newfoundland fishing rights. He was largely responsible for the enormous compensation paid to Newfoundland.
He died in St. John's, on March 1, 1900. Carter's major work for his province was perhaps the part he played in the great dispute with the United States and France over the Newfoundland fishing rights. He was largely responsible for the enormous compensation paid to Newfoundland.