Albert James Smith

"Albert J. Smith" redirects here. For the American film actor, see Albert J. Smith (actor). For American football executive, see A. J. Smith.

Sir Albert James Smith KCMG PC QC (March 12, 1822 – June 30, 1883) was a New Brunswick politician and opponent of Canadian confederation. Smith's grandfather was a United Empire Loyalist who left Massachusetts to settle in New Brunswick after the American Revolution.

The Honourable Sir Albert James Smith KCMG PC QC
Hon. Sir Albert James Smith, April 1868
Attorney General of Canada (Acting)
In office June 1, 1874 – July 7, 1874
Preceded by	Antoine-Aimé Dorion
Succeeded by	Télesphore Fournier
Premier of the Colony of New Brunswick
In office September 21, 1865 – April 14, 1866
Preceded by	Samuel Leonard Tilley
Succeeded by	Peter Mitchell
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Westmorland
In office 1867–1882
Succeeded by	Josiah Wood
Personal details
Born	(1822-03-12)March 12, 1822 Shediac, New Brunswick
Died	June 30, 1883(1883-06-30) (aged 61) Dorchester, New Brunswick
Resting place	Dorchester Rural Cemetery
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Sarah Marie Young ​ (m. 1868)​
Children	one son (d. 30 June 1883)

A. J. Smith's legacy paid for this house, the residence of his grandson J. W. Y. Smith, called Younglands, on Shediac Bay, New Brunswick. Built in 1927, it is now owned by a Catholic order.

Smith entered politics in 1852 entering the House of Assembly as an opponent of the Tory compact that ran the colony and became a leading reform and advocate of responsible government which was granted to the colony in 1854. Smith became a member of the reform government that took power that year and went on to become Attorney-General in 1861 under Premier Samuel Leonard Tilley. Smith split with Tilley over railway policy and Canadian confederation with Smith becoming leader of the Anti-Confederates winning the 1865 election but was forced from office the next year by the lieutenant-governor.

He was created a Queen's Counsel in 1862.

Smith reconciled with Confederation after it became a fact and became minister of fisheries in the Liberal government of Alexander Mackenzie in 1873. He died in 1883, and was interred in Dorchester Rural Cemetery.

Electoral record

1872 Canadian federal election: Westmoreland
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Albert Smith	acclaimed
Source: Canadian Elections Database

By-election: on Mr. Smith being appointed Minister of Marine and Fisheries:

By-election on 7 November 1873
Party		Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Albert James Smith	acclaimed

1874 Canadian federal election: Westmoreland
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Albert James Smith	acclaimed
Source: lop.parl.ca

1878 Canadian federal election: Westmoreland
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Albert James Smith	2,572	57.2
	Unknown	R.A. Chapman	1,928	42.8

1882 Canadian federal election: Westmoreland
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Josiah Wood	2,620	54.5	+11.7
	Liberal	Albert James Smith	2,188	45.5	-11.7

Further reading

• J. E. Belliveau, 1976, The Splendid Life of Albert Smith and the Women he Left Behind, Windsor, NS: Lancelot Press

References

• "Albert James Smith". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.
• Albert James Smith – Parliament of Canada biography