William Young (Nova Scotia politician)

Sir William Young, KCB (8 September 1799 – 8 May 1887) was a Nova Scotia politician and jurist.

Sir William Young KCB
Premier of the Colony of Nova Scotia
In office 1854–1860
Preceded by	James Boyle Uniacke
Succeeded by	James William Johnston
MLA for Inverness County
In office 1836–1860
Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
In office 1843–1855
Preceded by	Joseph Howe
Succeeded by	Stewart Campbell
Personal details
Born	(1799-09-08)8 September 1799 Falkirk, Scotland
Died	8 May 1887(1887-05-08) (aged 87) Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Political party	Reformer
Occupation	Lawyer

Born in Falkirk, the son of John Young and Agnes Renny, Young was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1836 as a Reformer (or Liberal) and, as a lawyer, defended Reform journalists accused of libel. When responsible government was instituted in 1848, Young hoped to become the first Premier but was passed over in favour of fellow reformer James Boyle Uniacke and Young became Speaker. However, Young succeeded Uniacke in 1854.

His government was accused of overlooking Catholics and tensions with Catholics were exacerbated by Joseph Howe's rupture with Nova Scotia's Irish Catholic community over his recruitment of Americans to fight on the British side in the Crimean War.

In February 1857, ten Catholic and two Protestant Liberals voted with the Tories to bring down Young's government.

Young returned to power in January 1860 when the Tory government was unable to command a majority in the legislature after an election. In July, the colony's Chief Justice died and Young, who had long coveted the job, was appointed to the position by the lieutenant governor. He was noted for placing cushions on his chair so he would tower above his fellow justices. Young served as Chief Justice for twenty-one years and resigned in 1881.^[1]

Death

Sir William Young died in Halifax on May 8, 1887.

Legacy

• Young Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia is named after Sir William Young^[2]
• In 1887 (the same year that the Bandstand was built), the estate of chief justice Sir William Young, donated three statues and six urns from his own garden, to Halifax Public Gardens.^[3]
• Nova Scotian artist William Valentine painted Young's portrait.
• The Private and Local Acts of Nova-Scotia By Nova Scotia, Sir William Young