Charlottetown in Queens County, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
George Coles
1810 - 1875
A native Prince Edward Islander, Coles, first elected in 1842, represented the constituency of Queen's in the House of Assembly of the Island until his retirement because of ill health in 1868. Co-founder, with Edward Whelan, of the Liberal Party, and an ardent advocate of Responsible Government, which was granted in 1851, he became Premier in that same year and served in that office for three terms (1851-4, 1855-9, and 1867-8). A Father of Confederation, he attended the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences of 1864. He died at Charlottetown.
French:
L'un des Pères de la Confédération, né dans l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Coles fut député de Queen's à l'Assemblée législative de 1842 à 1868, quand la maladie l'obligea à se retirer de la vie politique. Avec Edward Whelan, il fut l'un des fondateurs du Parti libéral et milita pour la responsabilité ministerielle, établie en 1851. Il fut premier ministre à trois reprises (1851- 1854, 1855-1859 et 1867-1868) et assista en 1846 aux Conférences de Charlottetown et de Québec. Il mourut à Charlottetown.
Erected 1939 by Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments historique du Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics . In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.
Location. 46° 14.113′ N, 63° 7.55′ W. Marker is in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in Queens County. Marker can be reached from Richmond Street near Great George Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown PE C1A, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Henry Pope (here, next to this marker); Andrew Archibald Macdonald (here, next to this marker); Edward Palmer (here, next to this marker); Colonel John Hamilton Gray (here, next to this marker); Thomas Heath Haviland (a few steps from this marker); Edward Whelan (a few steps from this marker); Province House (within shouting distance of this marker); A BIG Year / Une année CRUCIALE (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottetown.
More about this marker. This marker is one of seven "Fathers of Confederation" markers located at the northeast corner of Provincial House.
Also see . . . George Coles - Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Coles and the Leaguers opposed the outside domination exercised by the proprietors, not property itself – after all, the farmers were demanding the right to become property owners. The difference was that Coles, as a man of substance, was not inclined to lend approbation to any programme of forcible seizures, whereas the tenants, as men of poverty, had fewer inhibitions. (Submitted on January 12, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.