Richard McBride
Richard McBride was a prominent Canadian politician and lawyer, born on December 15, 1870, in New Westminster, British Columbia. He began his education at Dalhousie University's law school and later entered private legal practice. McBride's political career commenced when he was elected as the representative for Westminster-Dewdney in 1898, earning the nickname "Dewdney Dick." He became the Conservative premier of British Columbia in 1903 and served for twelve years, playing a crucial role in establishing the province's two-party system and overseeing significant infrastructure developments, including plans for a university and railway expansion.
During his tenure, McBride also implemented financial and labor reforms, though he faced criticism for some of his policies, including opposition to women's suffrage and support for anti-Asian legislation. Notably, he made a controversial decision to purchase submarines for provincial defense at the onset of World War I. McBride's health declined due to diabetes and a kidney condition, leading to his resignation in 1916. Following his resignation, he worked as British Columbia's agent general in London until his death on August 6, 1917. McBride was married to Christine McGillivray and had six daughters.
Subject Terms
Richard McBride
Politician
- Born: December 15, 1870
- Birthplace: New Westminster, British Columbia
- Died: August 6, 1917
- Place of death: London, England
Contribution: Richard McBride was a Canadian lawyer and statesman who served as premier of British Columbia from 1903 to 1915. He is known for formulating policies addressing British Columbia’s fast-growing population and industry, including the expansion of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. McBride was the first premier to have been born in the province and, in 1912, was honored with knighthood.
Background and Early Career
Richard McBride was born on December 15, 1870, in New Westminster, British Columbia, to Mary D’Arcy and Arthur Hill McBride, first warden of the British Columbia Penitentiary. McBride was a distinguished student in New Westminster and, in 1887, he enrolled at Dalhousie University’s school of law in Halifax. Between school terms, he came home to work in a salmon canning plant. After graduating from law school, he went into private practice. He continued practicing when possible, even after entering politics. He won his first parliamentary seat representing Westminster-Dewdney in 1898, earning the nickname “Dewdney Dick.”
Political Career
McBride was appointed minister of mines in 1900. After leading the opposition party for one year, he became the Conservative premier of the province in 1903 and served for twelve years. While in office, he established the two-party system of government in British Columbia—the province had previously operated under a nonpartisan government—and drew up plans for British Columbia’s first university and major railway expansion. He also cut spending, imposed new taxes, and reformed the province’s labor laws. In 1910, McBride turned down an offer to relocate to London and help his friend Winston Churchill, then undersecretary of state for the colonies, strengthen the Imperial Party.
At the start of World War I in the summer of 1914, realizing the province was vulnerable to German attack, McBride made a unilateral decision to buy two American-made submarines for the province, which were eventually sold to the federal government. He faced criticism for this expenditure, as well as for opposing women’s suffrage and prohibition and for endorsing anti-Asian legislation at a time when neither aboriginal people nor Asians could vote.
On his forty-fifth birthday, McBride announced his resignation due to his failing health from diabetes and a kidney condition called Bright disease. Soon afterward, he accepted the position as British Columbia’s agent general and went to London, where he was involved in managing lumber and fish business enterprises, entertaining Canadian soldiers, and supervising the overseas soldiers’ vote in the 1916 provincial election.
Personal Life
McBride married Christine Margaret McGillivray on September 23, 1896. They had six daughters. He died August 6, 1917, in London, England, at age forty-six.
Bibliography
“Richard McBride.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
Roy, Patricia E. Boundless Optimism: Richard McBride’s British Columbia. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2012. Print.
Roy, Patricia E. “McBride of McKenna-McBride: Premier Richard McBride and the Indian Question in British Columbia.” BC Studies no. 172 (2011): 35.
Roy, Patricia E. “McBride, Sir Richard.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 14. Toronto: U of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.