Isaac Featherston
Encyclopedia
Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston (21 March 1813 – 19 June 1876) was a New Zealand politician, and was known for his advocacy for the establishment of New Zealand self-government, and the importance of the provincial governments.
, England, he qualified in medicine at the University of Edinburgh
in 1836. He arrived in Wellington
in 1841 on the New Zealand Company
ship Olympus.
, second
, third
, and fourth
Parliaments. He represented the Wanganui and Rangitikei
electorate in the first parliament until he resigned on 9 August 1855, and then represented the City of Wellington
electorate in the second, third and fourth parliaments. In 1858, he resigned his seat in Parliament and his Wellington superintendency, apparently wanting to return to England. Instead, he successfully stood for re-election in both positions within months.
He was Colonial Secretary (forerunner to the modern Minister of Internal Affairs) in 1861, and a Minister without Portfolio from 1869 to 1871, having been appointed in both instances by William Fox
.
He was also heavily involved in the politics of Wellington Province
. He was elected unopposed as the first Superintendent
from 1853. He resigned from this post on 23 April 1858. He was re-elected on 28 June 1858 and held the post until 1870.
From 1871 he was the first Agent-General for the colony in London, the precursor to the High Commissioner.
and Featherston (who was Wakefields's doctor) over a newspaper editorial of Featherston on the New Zealand Company land policy which questioned Wakefield’s honesty. Featherston fired and missed. Then Wakefield fired into the air, saying he would not shoot a man with seven daughters.
in the Wairarapa
is named after him, as is Featherston Street in Wellington.
Early life
Born in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, England, he qualified in medicine at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1836. He arrived in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in 1841 on the New Zealand Company
New Zealand Company
The New Zealand Company originated in London in 1837 as the New Zealand Association with the aim of promoting the "systematic" colonisation of New Zealand. The association, and later the company, intended to follow the colonising principles of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who envisaged the creation of...
ship Olympus.
Political career
He served in the first1st New Zealand Parliament
The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election . It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's election...
, second
2nd New Zealand Parliament
The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election...
, third
3rd New Zealand Parliament
The 3rd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Elections for this term were held between 12 December 1860 and 28 March 1861 in 43 electorates to elect 53 MPs...
, and fourth
4th New Zealand Parliament
The 4th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand.Elections for this term were held in 61 electorates between 12 February and 6 April 1866 to elect 70 MPs. Parliament was prorogued in late 1870. During the term of this Parliament, two Ministries were in power...
Parliaments. He represented the Wanganui and Rangitikei
Wanganui and Rangitikei
Wanganui and Rangitikei is a former parliamentary electorate in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand, from 1853 to 1855.-Members:During that time, Wanganui and Rangitikei was represented by one Member of Parliament:...
electorate in the first parliament until he resigned on 9 August 1855, and then represented the City of Wellington
Wellington (New Zealand electorate)
Wellington , was a parliamentary electorate in Wellington, New Zealand. It existed from 1853 to 1905 with a break in the 1880s. It was a multi-member electorate. The electorate was represented by 24 Members of Parliament....
electorate in the second, third and fourth parliaments. In 1858, he resigned his seat in Parliament and his Wellington superintendency, apparently wanting to return to England. Instead, he successfully stood for re-election in both positions within months.
He was Colonial Secretary (forerunner to the modern Minister of Internal Affairs) in 1861, and a Minister without Portfolio from 1869 to 1871, having been appointed in both instances by William Fox
William Fox (New Zealand)
Sir William Fox, KCMG was the second Premier of New Zealand on four occasions in the 19th century, while New Zealand was still a colony. He was known for his eventual support of Māori land rights, his contributions to the education system , and his work to increase New Zealand's autonomy from...
.
He was also heavily involved in the politics of Wellington Province
Wellington Province
The Wellington Province was a province of New Zealand until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.-Area:...
. He was elected unopposed as the first Superintendent
Superintendent (politics)
Superintendent was the elected head of each Provincial Council in New Zealand from 1853 to 1876.-Historical context:Provinces existed in New Zealand from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. After the initial provinces pre-1853, new provinces were formed by the New Zealand...
from 1853. He resigned from this post on 23 April 1858. He was re-elected on 28 June 1858 and held the post until 1870.
From 1871 he was the first Agent-General for the colony in London, the precursor to the High Commissioner.
Wakefield Featherston duel
A duel on 24 March 1847 was fought in Wellington between Colonel William WakefieldWilliam Wakefield
William Hayward Wakefield was an English colonel, the leader of the first colonizing expedition to New Zealand and one of the founders of Wellington. In 1826, he married Emily Sidney, a daughter of Sir John Sidney.-Early life:...
and Featherston (who was Wakefields's doctor) over a newspaper editorial of Featherston on the New Zealand Company land policy which questioned Wakefield’s honesty. Featherston fired and missed. Then Wakefield fired into the air, saying he would not shoot a man with seven daughters.
Commemoration
The town of FeatherstonFeatherston, New Zealand
Featherston is a town in the north of the Wellington Region region of New Zealand. It lies in the Wairarapa, just north of the Rimutaka Tunnel, in the South Wairarapa District. The population was 2,340 in the 2006 Census....
in the Wairarapa
Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a geographical region of New Zealand. It occupies the south-eastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay region. It is lightly populated, having several rural service towns, with Masterton being the largest...
is named after him, as is Featherston Street in Wellington.