Charles Christopher Bowen
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles Christopher Bowen KB. KCMG. (29 August 1830 – 12 December 1917) was a 19th century New Zealand
politician.
, Ireland
and studied law for two years at Cambridge University
. At the age of 20 he emigrated with his parents on one of the First Four Ships, the Charlotte-Jane
, to the Canterbury settlement.
His law training led to a position as private secretary to John Robert Godley
, founder of the Canterbury colony. He was in charge of the police force, and, together with Crosbie Ward
, became a part-owner of the Lyttelton Times
newspaper.
In 1859, Bowen traversed the Andes
on foot on his return to England
, where he married Georgina Elizabeth Markham, a sister of Clements Markham
.
Following their return to Christchurch
, Bowen was appointed Resident Magistrate, a position he held from 1864–1874.
) on 16 December 1874, but wary of criticism that a public servant had been awarded political office, he resigned from the Legislative Council and stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 22 January 1875 Kaiapoi by-election, following the resignation of John Studholme
on 8 December 1874. He was confirmed by the Kaiapoi electorate
at general elections in 1875 and 1879
and served until the end of the 7th Parliament
in 1881, when he retired. From 1874 to 1877, he was Minister of Justice
in five successive ministries (first Vogel Ministry, Pollen Ministry, second Vogel Ministry, first and second Atkinson Ministry). Bowen was responsible for the Education Act 1877, which provided for compulsory free, secular primary education.
He was again appointed to the Legislative Council on 20 January 1891 and served until his death on 12 December 1917. He was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council
from 1905 to 1915.
Bowen was knighted in 1910. He had seven children.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician.
Life
Bowen was born in County MayoCounty Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and studied law for two years at Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. At the age of 20 he emigrated with his parents on one of the First Four Ships, the Charlotte-Jane
Charlotte-Jane
The Charlotte Jane was one of the First Four Ships in 1850 to carry emigrants from England to the new colony of Canterbury in New Zealand.-Arrival in Lyttelton:...
, to the Canterbury settlement.
His law training led to a position as private secretary to John Robert Godley
John Robert Godley
John Robert Godley was an Irish statesman and bureaucrat. Godley is considered to be the founder of Canterbury, New Zealand, although he lived there for only two years.-Early life:...
, founder of the Canterbury colony. He was in charge of the police force, and, together with Crosbie Ward
Crosbie Ward
Crosbie Ward was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand. He was born in County Down, Ireland.He represented the Town of Lyttelton electorate from 1858 to 1866. He was a cabinet minister, Postmaster-General and Secretary for Crown Lands. He then represented the Avon...
, became a part-owner of the Lyttelton Times
Lyttelton Times
The Lyttelton Times was the first newspaper in Canterbury, New Zealand, publishing the first edition in January 1851. It was established by the Canterbury Association as part of its planned settlement of Canterbury and developed into a liberal, at the time sometimes seen as radical, newspaper...
newspaper.
In 1859, Bowen traversed the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
on foot on his return to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where he married Georgina Elizabeth Markham, a sister of Clements Markham
Clements Markham
Sir Clements Robert Markham KCB FRS was an English geographer, explorer, and writer. He was secretary of the Royal Geographical Society between 1863 and 1888, and later served as the Society's president for a further 12 years...
.
Following their return to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, Bowen was appointed Resident Magistrate, a position he held from 1864–1874.
Political career
Bowen was directly appointed to cabinet (by way of the Legislative CouncilNew Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
) on 16 December 1874, but wary of criticism that a public servant had been awarded political office, he resigned from the Legislative Council and stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 22 January 1875 Kaiapoi by-election, following the resignation of John Studholme
John Studholme
John Studholme was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand.He represented the Kaiapoi electorate from 1867 to 1874, when he resigned. He then represented the Gladstone electorate from 1879 to 1881, when he retired....
on 8 December 1874. He was confirmed by the Kaiapoi electorate
Kaiapoi (New Zealand electorate)
Kaiapoi was a rural New Zealand electorate, north of Christchurch in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand from 1861 to 1946. It was represented by twelve members of Parliament.-History:The electorate dates from 1861....
at general elections in 1875 and 1879
New Zealand general election, 1879
The New Zealand general election of 1879 was held between 28 August and 15 September to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 1 and 8 September. A total number of 82,271 voters turned out to vote.The election came about when George...
and served until the end of the 7th Parliament
7th New Zealand Parliament
The 7th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand.Elections for this term were held in 69 European electorates between 28 August and 15 September 1879. Elections in the four Māori electorates were held on 1 and 8 September of that year. A total of 88 MPs were elected....
in 1881, when he retired. From 1874 to 1877, he was Minister of Justice
Minister of Justice (New Zealand)
The Minister of Justice is a minister in the government of New Zealand. The minister has responsibility for the formulation of justice policy and for the administration of law courts....
in five successive ministries (first Vogel Ministry, Pollen Ministry, second Vogel Ministry, first and second Atkinson Ministry). Bowen was responsible for the Education Act 1877, which provided for compulsory free, secular primary education.
He was again appointed to the Legislative Council on 20 January 1891 and served until his death on 12 December 1917. He was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council
Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council
The Speaker of the Legislative Council was the chair of New Zealand's upper house, the Legislative Council. The position corresponded roughly to that of Speaker of the House of Representatives...
from 1905 to 1915.
Bowen was knighted in 1910. He had seven children.