William Gilbert Gosling
Encyclopedia
William Gilbert Gosling (September 8, 1863 – November 5, 1930) was a Canadian politician, businessman and author. From 1916 to 1920, he served as the mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
.
to Charles Gray Gosling and Elizabeth Gilbert. The second of their six sons, Gosling attended Pembroke Grammar School in Hamilton, Bermuda
. On June 22, 1881, he moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
in Canada
to work as a clerk for the fish exporting firm Harvey and Company. Taking charge of the wholesale side of the business, Gosling was described as having a "marked aptitude" for the job.
Shortly after arriving in Canada, Gosling met his future wife Armine, the headmistress of the Church of England Girls' School in St. John's. In his spare time, Gosling became invested in reading, and in 1899 published his first literary work, an article about the William Shakespeare
work The Tempest
in the London periodical Literature. The nine guinea
s earned for the publication of his piece were reinvested in his ever-growing collection of books.
In 1906, Gosling helped to revive the Newfoundland Historical Society with fellow author Daniel Woodley Prowse
. Around this time, Gosling became involved in historical writing when Wilfred Grenfell
asked him to contribute a chapter on the history of Labrador
to his book on his experiences as a Labrador physician. In 1910, this chapter was expanded into a published book, "Labrador: its discovery, exploration, and development", which remains an authoritative source on the subject today. The next year, a book on the life of Humphrey Gilbert
, written by Gosling, appeared in London bookstores.
In 1909, Gosling became the organizing secretary for the newly-formed Newfoundland Board of Trade, and became president of the Board in 1913. The same year, he became a director at Harvey and Company. He argued against Newfoundland's confederation with Canada
, saying that to tie down trade relations with Canada only would reduce Newfoundland's ability to use its income to acquire the cheapest resources possible, in which ever country they may be found.
. In 1914, the Newfoundland legislature replaced the local elected council in St. John's with an appointed commission consisting of twelve men. Governing the city for two years, the commission, of which Gosling was chairman, instituted a range of reforms, including a reorganization of water and sewage services and a new method of collecting and spending revenue. One such revenue reform included instigating legal proceedings against tax evaders who refused to pay after August 1, 1914. The commission also drafted a new municipal charter, which gave the local council more powers. However, the legislature rejected the draft, and restored the elected council.
In June 1916, a local election was held, and the electors of St. John's returned Gosling as their mayor
. In 1920, another appointed commission replaced the elected council, governing the city until the revised town charter became law. Gosling's health deteriorated due to the stress of public life, and in 1921 declined to stand for re-election to the mayoralty.
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...
.
Early life
William Gilbert Gosling was born in Paget Parish, BermudaPaget Parish, Bermuda
Paget Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for William Paget, 4th Baron Paget de Beaudesert .The parish is located in the central south of the island chain, immediately south of Hamilton Harbor on the main island. It is joined to Warwick Parish in the southwest, and Devonshire...
to Charles Gray Gosling and Elizabeth Gilbert. The second of their six sons, Gosling attended Pembroke Grammar School in Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
. On June 22, 1881, he moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
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...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to work as a clerk for the fish exporting firm Harvey and Company. Taking charge of the wholesale side of the business, Gosling was described as having a "marked aptitude" for the job.
Shortly after arriving in Canada, Gosling met his future wife Armine, the headmistress of the Church of England Girls' School in St. John's. In his spare time, Gosling became invested in reading, and in 1899 published his first literary work, an article about the William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
work The Tempest
The Tempest
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place,...
in the London periodical Literature. The nine guinea
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
s earned for the publication of his piece were reinvested in his ever-growing collection of books.
In 1906, Gosling helped to revive the Newfoundland Historical Society with fellow author Daniel Woodley Prowse
Daniel Woodley Prowse
Daniel Woodley Prowse was a lawyer, politician, judge, historian, essayist, and office holder.Born in Port de Grave, Newfoundland , he was the fourth of the seven children of Robert Prowse and Jane Woodley...
. Around this time, Gosling became involved in historical writing when Wilfred Grenfell
Wilfred Grenfell
Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, KCMG was a medical missionary to Newfoundland and Labrador.He was born at Parkgate, Wirral, England, the son of Algernon Grenfell, headmaster of Mostyn House School, and Jane Georgiana Hutchison and married Anne Elizabeth Caldwell MacClanahan of Chicago, Illinois, in...
asked him to contribute a chapter on the history of Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
to his book on his experiences as a Labrador physician. In 1910, this chapter was expanded into a published book, "Labrador: its discovery, exploration, and development", which remains an authoritative source on the subject today. The next year, a book on the life of Humphrey Gilbert
Humphrey Gilbert
Sir Humphrey Gilbert of Devon in England was a half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. Adventurer, explorer, member of parliament, and soldier, he served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth and was a pioneer of English colonization in North America and the Plantations of Ireland.-Early life:Gilbert...
, written by Gosling, appeared in London bookstores.
In 1909, Gosling became the organizing secretary for the newly-formed Newfoundland Board of Trade, and became president of the Board in 1913. The same year, he became a director at Harvey and Company. He argued against Newfoundland's confederation with Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, saying that to tie down trade relations with Canada only would reduce Newfoundland's ability to use its income to acquire the cheapest resources possible, in which ever country they may be found.
Political career
Prior to his entry into municipal politics, Gosling led a fundraising effort to rebuild an Anglican cathedral which had been destroyed by fire, and in 1908 became the vice-president of the newly-founded Association for the Prevention of ConsumptionTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. In 1914, the Newfoundland legislature replaced the local elected council in St. John's with an appointed commission consisting of twelve men. Governing the city for two years, the commission, of which Gosling was chairman, instituted a range of reforms, including a reorganization of water and sewage services and a new method of collecting and spending revenue. One such revenue reform included instigating legal proceedings against tax evaders who refused to pay after August 1, 1914. The commission also drafted a new municipal charter, which gave the local council more powers. However, the legislature rejected the draft, and restored the elected council.
In June 1916, a local election was held, and the electors of St. John's returned Gosling as their mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
. In 1920, another appointed commission replaced the elected council, governing the city until the revised town charter became law. Gosling's health deteriorated due to the stress of public life, and in 1921 declined to stand for re-election to the mayoralty.