Hodgson, Sir Robert

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Ian Ross Robertson, “HODGSON, Sir ROBERT,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 10, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/hodgson_robert_10E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Lawyer, land agent, politician, judge, and administrator; b. 1798 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., eldest son of Robert Hodgson and Rebecca Robinson; d. 15 Sept. 1880 at his home in Charlottetown.
    • Born into an Anglican family of comfortable circumstances, Robert Hodgson completed his education at King’s College, Windsor, Nova Scotia. He studied law with Simon Bradstreet Robie and James W. Johnston in Halifax and was called to the bars of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in 1819. He then took up residence in Charlottetown and pursued an active career as a lawyer, land agent, and politicia
    • Hodgson entered public life in 1824 by successfully contesting an assembly seat for Charlottetown. He rapidly became an integral part of the local élite.
    • Although Hodgson asked to be appointed lieutenant governor in 1869, he was maintained in his office as chief justice, and William Robinson became lieutenant governor. Robinson left the Island in 1873, Hodgson was again appointed administrator, and was named lieutenant governor the following summer. 
    • Sir Robert Hodgson was a life-long office-seeker; in fact, his indefatigable quest for offices, honours, and pensions more than once betrayed a lack of taste. Nonetheless, he was undeniably a man of distinction in the history of Prince Edward Island: he was the first native chief justice, the first native lieutenant governor, and the first Islander to be knighted. For most of his public career, he was also a very popular man. When he died, the Patriot described him as “an excellent specimen of the English gentleman. . . . He will be long remembered as the Good Sir Robert.”
  • Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=7065
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209835298/robert-christopher-hodgson