Table of contents

Acknowledgements

Illustrations

Abbreviations

About This Book

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Personal and Political Background

Chapter 2: Turbulent Times, 1882–1885

Chapter 3: Waiting for Whiteway, 1885–1889

Chapter 4: In Government: Fisheries and External Affairs, 1889–1893

Chapter 5: Domestic Affairs: From Railways to the Bank Crash, 1890–1894

Chapter 6: The Crisis Years, 1894–1897

Chapter 7: Interregnum: The Railway Contract and the Premiership, 1897–1900

Chapter 8: Bond as Prime Minister: The First Term, 1900–1904

Chapter 9: The Second Term: External Affairs, 1905–1909

Chapter 10: The Second Term: Domestic Issues, 1905–1908

Chapter 11: The Tie Election and the Loss of Power, 1908–1909

Chapter 12: In Opposition, 1910–1914

Chapter 13: The War Years, 1914–1919

Chapter 14: The Twenties and the Final Years, 1920–1927

Conclusion

Appendix: Newfoundland and Responsible Government

Bibliography

Index

Description

Elected to Newfoundland’s House of Assembly in 1882, Robert Bond served as a member of government and opposition—and notably as prime minister—in an era filled with challenges that still resonate today. During three turbulent decades, St. John’s burned down, the banks failed, and the drive for economic diversification caused difficult problems. In this in-depth examination, Hiller explores the stakes, the rivalries and the competing visions at play during the period, and he highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the man who was often at centre stage: Bond, politician, leader, and patriot.

Awards

  • Long-listed, Newfoundland and Labrador Book Award 2021
  • Joint winner, Heritage and History Book Award 2020

Reviews

"[A] comprehensive, splendidly documented, and very detailed study"

- Patricia E. Roy, The Canadian Historical Review

"Jim Hiller's biography of Robert Bond brings together elements of the story of Newfoundland's best known pre-Confederation prime minister that have been scattered through other works over the past four decades. "

- Ed Hollett, The Sir Robert Bond Papers