George Coles (September 20, 1810 – August 21, 1875) was a Canadian politician, being the first Premier of Prince Edward Island, and a Father of Canadian Confederation. Jump to: navigation, search September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... A premier is an executive official of government. ... Motto: Parva Sub Ingenti (The small under the protection of the great) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Charlottetown Largest city Charlottetown Lieutenant Governor J. Léonce Bernard Premier Pat Binns (PC) Area 5,660 km² (13th) Land 5,660 km² Water 0 km² (0%) Population (2004) Population 137,900... Jump to: navigation, search We dont have an article called Canadian-confederation Start this article Search for Canadian-confederation in. ...

Coles was born on Prince Edward Island, the son of James Coles, a farmer, and Sarah Tally. Although he had little formal education he became a farmer and a businessman at an early age. He had his own business in the brewing Industry; just before Confederation all his properties burned down. He abandoned his public life, went into seclusion and he went insane. He travelled to England at age 19. There he learned about the brewing industry. While in England he married Mercy Haine on August 14, 1833 and they returned to Prince Edward Island before the end of that year. He soon became a prosperous brewer and merchant. Jump to: navigation, search Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK...

He first entered politics in 1841 representing the New London-DeSable district in the Assembly. Coles was always a colourful political figure. He is said to have duelled with Edward Palmer, and to have challenged James C. Pope to a duel as well. As a member of the provincial government in 1846, he spent 31 days in the custody of the sergeant-at-arms for refusing to retract a statement made in the assembly. He was convicted of assault in the 1850's. Coles, with Edward Whelan, the editor of the Examiner, was the leader in the struggle for responsible government. When Responsible Government was granted in 1851 Coles became the Island's first Premier. With the exception of a few months in 1854, Coles remained as Premier until 1859 when his party was defeated. Coles once again served as Premier from 1867 to 1869 but failing health necessitated his turning the government over to Joseph Hensley. His administration embarked on a number of significant reforms - the most important being the Free Education Act and the Land Purchase Act. The former provided better educational opportunities than in any of the other colonies and the latter was a positive step toward a solution to the land ownership question. He and Edward Whelan had laid the foundations of the Liberal party and in so doing created the political balances which dominated Prince Edward Island politics during the middle years of the nineteenth century. Despite being an early supporter of union he turned against Confederation when it became apparent that the project would not solve the land tenure question. Coles died in 1875 at his home in Charlottetown Royalty. Jump to: navigation, search Edward Palmer (September 1, 1809 – November 3, 1889) was born at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and resided in Prince Edward Island until his death. ... James Colledge Pope James Colledge Pope (June 11, 1826 - May 18, 1885) was a land proprietor and politician on Prince Edward Island. ... A Serjeant at Arms (also spelt Sergeant at Arms, and sometimes Serjeant-at-Arms) is an officer appointed by a deliberative body, usually a legislature, to keep order during its meetings. ... Edward Whelan (1824-December 10, 1867). ... Responsible government is a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. ... A premier is an executive official of government. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Joseph Hensley (1824-1884) was a Prince Edward Island politician. ... Edward Whelan (1824-December 10, 1867). ... The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... Jump to: navigation, search We dont have an article called Canadian-confederation Start this article Search for Canadian-confederation in. ...

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online