The Honourable James Cockburn 1819-1883
This Father of Confederation came to Canada in 1832 as a child. After becoming a lawyer here in Cobourg, he entered politics and shared in drafting the plan for Confederation. In 1867, he was elected the first Speaker of the new House of Commons.
Location:
In Centennial Park, William Street, Cobourg
Themes:
People, Politics and law
Plaque text:
A Father of Confederation, James Cockburn was born in Berwick, England and came to Canada with his parents in 1832. Admitted to the bar in 1846, he formed a partnership with D.E. Boulton in Cobourg, and in 1849 established a law practice independently. Entering politics, he represented Northumberland West in the Legislative Assembly of Canada, 1861-67, and served as solicitor general, 1864-67. At the Quebec Conference of 1864, he shared in drafting the plan for Confederation, and in 1867, was elected the first Speaker of the new federal House of Commons, a post which he held until 1874. He resigned his seat in 1881 owing to illness and died in Ottawa two years later.
