James Baird (merchant)
Encyclopedia
James Baird was Scottish born and came to Newfoundland at 16 and soon established himself as a prominent merchant.
Baird, a brother, and later a nephew built up a business which included a large array of general merchandise and eventually branched into the fishery supply business. By the mid 1880's, they had entered the fish export trade and survived both the St. John’s
fire in 1892 and the banking collapse a few years later. He was highly important in the founding and supporting of many industries.
Baird, despite his high profile and important business career, is best known in Newfoundland history for the famous Baird et al. v. Walker case. It was a dispute over the location and operation of a lobster factory on land deemed to be assigned to the French. Baird won a settlement in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. In 1898 he was appointed to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
, a position he held for the remainder of his life.
Baird, a brother, and later a nephew built up a business which included a large array of general merchandise and eventually branched into the fishery supply business. By the mid 1880's, they had entered the fish export trade and survived both the St. John’s
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
fire in 1892 and the banking collapse a few years later. He was highly important in the founding and supporting of many industries.
Baird, despite his high profile and important business career, is best known in Newfoundland history for the famous Baird et al. v. Walker case. It was a dispute over the location and operation of a lobster factory on land deemed to be assigned to the French. Baird won a settlement in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. In 1898 he was appointed to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
Legislative Council of Newfoundland
The Legislative Council of Newfoundland was established in 1854 when the British Government granted a new constitution to Newfoundland establishing an Executive Council of not more than seven members of the majority party and a Legislative Council of not more than 15 members upon nomination of the...
, a position he held for the remainder of his life.