CA-K857History

William Henry Steeves, New Brunswick merchant and Father of Confederation

William Henry Steeves, portrait. William Henry Steeves · Unknown author · Photo source · Photo licence: Public domain. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.

Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

No recorded challenge is not proof of accuracy. A challenge under review is not a finding that the item is false.

William Henry Steeves, born in Hillsborough, was a leading merchant and lumberman before entering politics. He sat in New Brunswick’s Assembly and Legislative Council and was almost continuously in cabinet from 1854 to 1865. Bringing a reform-minded business outlook, he supported the Intercolonial Railway and Confederation to aid the province’s economy, and was named to the Senate in 1867.

Scope & context

Steeves as described in his designation.

Sources behind this record

William Henry Steeves National Historic Person ↗

Parks Canada (Directory of Federal Heritage Designations)

Importance; plaque text