Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts Smallwood, commonly known as Joey Smallwood, was a prominent figure in Newfoundland's history, born on December 24, 1900, in Gambo, Newfoundland. Raised in poverty, he began his career in journalism after leaving high school, working as a printer's apprentice and later as a reporter in various locations, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New York City, and England. Smallwood was also known for his radio broadcasts that focused on Newfoundland's culture and history. He played a significant role in advocating for Newfoundland's confederation with Canada, which was achieved in 1949, making Newfoundland the tenth province. Subsequently, he became the first Premier of Newfoundland and served from 1949 until 1972. Beyond his political career, Smallwood contributed to literature and history through works like "The Book of Newfoundland" and the "Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador." His legacy includes his appointment as a companion of the Order of Canada in 1986, and he passed away on December 17, 1991, in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Joey Smallwood
Politician
- Born: December 24, 1900
- Birthplace: Gambo, Newfoundland
- Died: December 17, 1991
- Place of death: St. John’s, Newfoundland
Contribution: Joseph Smallwood was a Canadian politician, journalist, union organizer, and author. He served as the first premier of Newfoundland from 1949 to 1972 and was a key figure in Newfoundland’s entrance into the Dominion of Canada.
Early Life and Career
Joseph Roberts Smallwood was born on December 24, 1900, in Gambo, Newfoundland. In his infancy, his family moved to Saint John’s, where he was raised in poverty. He dropped out of Bishop Feild College and did not receive any higher education.
After leaving high school, Smallwood began his career in journalism, becoming a printer’s apprentice with a newspaper in Saint John’s. He worked as a reporter in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New York City, and England. In Newfoundland, he also founded the Labour Outlook and Humber Herald newspapers.
In 1936, Smallwood began writing a column for the Daily News under the name “the Barrelman.” The column evolved into a radio broadcast in which he was known as “Joe the Barrelman.” His radio show, which discussed Newfoundland history and culture, aired between 1937 and 1943 on the government-owned radio stations Voice of Newfoundland and Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland.
In addition to his journalism career, Smallwood also worked as a union organizer, attempting unsuccessfully to form a union in Saint John’s for workers in the fishing and railway industries, among others. In 1936, he began working on The Book of Newfoundland, and he later opened a pig farm.
Political Career
In 1928, Smallwood intended to run as a Liberal candidate for prime minister of the Dominion of Newfoundland, but he gave this up in favor of party leader Richard Squires, instead becoming Squires’s campaign manager. After a successful campaign, Smallwood was appointed a justice of the peace. In 1932, he ran as a Liberal candidate representing Bonavista South, but he lost the election.
In 1946, Smallwood returned to politics after being elected a delegate to the National Convention, which had been formed to decide the future of Newfoundland. Smallwood was an advocate for Newfoundland, then still a British dominion, to become the tenth province of the Dominion of Canada. In an effort to convince the citizens of Newfoundland to support confederation, he wrote a series of fourteen letters to the Daily News and used radio broadcasts to promote his opinion. He was heavily involved in the movement toward confederation throughout the next three years and took part in the negotiations of the union terms of the new province. In 1949, when Newfoundland entered into confederation, Smallwood was elected the first leader of the provincial government as a member of the Liberal Party. He remained premier of Newfoundland from 1949 until his retirement in 1972.
After retiring from politics, Smallwood worked on producing the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, the first two volumes of which were published in 1981 and 1984, respectively. The later volumes were released posthumously by the J. R. Smallwood Foundation. In light of his achievements, Smallwood was appointed a companion of the Order of Canada in 1986.
Personal Life
Joseph Smallwood met his wife, Clara Oates, while working in New York, and they were married in 1925. He died in St. John’s, Newfoundland, at the age of eighty-nine on December 17, 1991.
Principal Works
The Book of Newfoundland, 1937
To You with Affection from Joey, 1969
I Chose Canada: The Memoirs of the Honourable Joseph R. “Joey” Smallwood, 1973
Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, 1981 and 1984
Bibliography
Argyle, Ray. Joey Smallwood: Schemer and Dreamer. Toronto: Dundum, 2012. Print.
Bélanger, Claude. “Joseph R. Smallwood: The Case for Newfoundland Joining Canada.” Newfoundland History. Claude Bélanger, Marianopolis College, 2004. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
Davies, David Twiston. “Joey Smallwood.” Canada from Afar: The Daily Telegraph Book of Canadian Obituaries. Toronto: Dundum, 1996. 42–46. eBook.
Gwyn, Richard. “Newfoundland’s Joey Was Unity Pioneer.” Toronto Star 19 Dec. 1991: A11. Print.
Horwood, Harold Andrew. Joey: The Life and Political Times of Joey Smallwood. Don Mills: Stoddart, 1989. Print.
Joey Smallwood: Between Scoundrels and Saints. Dir. Barbara Doran. Prod. Morag Productions, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. National Film Board of Canada, 1999. VHS.
“Joey Smallwood: Premier of Newfoundland.” Face to Face. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, 19 Apr. 2010. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
“Joseph ‘Joey’ Smallwood.” Library and Archives Canada. Library and Archives Canada, 2 May 2005. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
Little Fellow from Gambo—The Joey Smallwood Story. Dir. Julian Biggs. National Film Board of Canada, 1970. NFB. NFB, n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.