William Richmond
Encyclopedia
Christopher William Richmond (12 July 1821 – 3 August 1895), generally called William Richmond, was a 19th century New Zealand
politician. He held a number of Cabinet
positions between 1856 and 1861. He worked as a lawyer and was appointed a senior judge who held condescending views of Māori.
on 12 July 1821. His father, Christopher Richmond, died when William Richmond was only ten years old, leaving William in the sole care of Maria (Lely) Wilson, his mother. He was raised in the Unitarian
faith, and attended Unitarian schools. His health was always delicate, and he suffered from severe asthma
throughout his life. From 1841 to 1843, he was in France
, but in 1844, he began working in various law offices. He also developed a strong friendship with Richard Holt Hutton
, a writer and theologian who influenced his views considerably.
in 1847, but business was poor. James Crowe Richmond
and Henry Robert Richmond
, his two younger brothers, sought better fortunes in New Plymouth, New Zealand
, in 1850, and William Richmond considered joining them. On 15 September 1852, Richmond married Emily Elizabeth Atkinson, described by Joseph Hutton (father of Richmond's friend Richard Holt Hutton) as "a remarkable woman of singular intellectual power, moral earnestness and charming spontaneity of character". Shortly after their marriage, the two set out for New Zealand on the Sir Edward Paget, being joined by his mother, his sister, and Harry
and Arthur
Atkinson (two brothers of Emily; Harry would later become Premier
). In New Plymouth, Richmond re-established his law practice, and soon became a prominent member of the local community.
On 5 November 1855, he was elected to represent the Town of New Plymouth electorate
in the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
. When Edward Stafford
formed a government on 2 June 1856, Richmond accepted an invitation to become Colonial Secretary (forerunner to the modern Minister of Internal Affairs). When Henry Sewell
resigned, Richmond also became Colonial Treasurer (forerunner to the modern Minister of Finance
), although Sewell briefly resumed this post for two months in 1859. On 27 August 1858, he became New Zealand's first Minister for Native Affairs
, but lost this post to Frederick Weld
in late 1860. He also served as Commissioner of Customs.
Politically, Richmond aligned himself with the centralist faction, believing that the power of the provinces needed to be curtailed. Richmond also believed in the need to "reform" Māori institutions and culture, being particularly adamant about the need to eliminate the beastly communism of common land ownership. Richmond generally had a very low opinion of Māori, considering them to be savages.
He was confirmed at the 1860 general election, which was held on 28 November. After the Stafford government fell, Richmond did not remain in Parliament for long, and he resigned on 20 January 1862.
with Thomas Gillies
, a fellow MP. He was soon appointed to a post as a senior judge
, a role which he seemed to enjoy more than his former political career. In 1865, he turned down an invitation by Stafford to return to politics, despite a suggestion that he could become Premier. Towards the end of his life, Richmond became increasingly conservative, condemning the Liberal Party
's proposals for women's suffrage
, a land tax, and an income tax.
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. He held a number of Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
positions between 1856 and 1861. He worked as a lawyer and was appointed a senior judge who held condescending views of Māori.
Early life
Richmond was probably born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 12 July 1821. His father, Christopher Richmond, died when William Richmond was only ten years old, leaving William in the sole care of Maria (Lely) Wilson, his mother. He was raised in the Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
faith, and attended Unitarian schools. His health was always delicate, and he suffered from severe asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
throughout his life. From 1841 to 1843, he was in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but in 1844, he began working in various law offices. He also developed a strong friendship with Richard Holt Hutton
Richard Holt Hutton
Richard Holt Hutton was an English writer and theologian.The son of Joseph Hutton, Unitarian minister, he was born at Leeds. His family moved to London in 1835, and he was educated at University College School and University College, London, where he began a lifelong friendship with Walter...
, a writer and theologian who influenced his views considerably.
Emigration to New Zealand
Richmond became a practising lawyerLawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
in 1847, but business was poor. James Crowe Richmond
James Crowe Richmond
James Crowe Richmond was a New Zealand politician, engineer, and an early painter in watercolours of the New Zealand landscape.-Early life:...
and Henry Robert Richmond
Henry Robert Richmond
Henry Robert Richmond was a 19th century New Zealand politician and farmer, and brother of James Crowe Richmond and William Richmond. They were part of the Richmond-Atkinson family of Taranaki who were all related by marriage....
, his two younger brothers, sought better fortunes in New Plymouth, New Zealand
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...
, in 1850, and William Richmond considered joining them. On 15 September 1852, Richmond married Emily Elizabeth Atkinson, described by Joseph Hutton (father of Richmond's friend Richard Holt Hutton) as "a remarkable woman of singular intellectual power, moral earnestness and charming spontaneity of character". Shortly after their marriage, the two set out for New Zealand on the Sir Edward Paget, being joined by his mother, his sister, and Harry
Harry Atkinson
Henry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...
and Arthur
Arthur Samuel Atkinson
Arthur Samuel Atkinson was a 19th century Member of Parliament from the Taranaki Region, New Zealand.He represented the Omata electorate from 1866 to 1867, when he resigned....
Atkinson (two brothers of Emily; Harry would later become Premier
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
). In New Plymouth, Richmond re-established his law practice, and soon became a prominent member of the local community.
Political career
On 5 November 1855, he was elected to represent the Town of New Plymouth electorate
New Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)
New Plymouth is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was first created for the 1st New Zealand Parliament in 1853 and has existed since, with one 22-year interruption...
in the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
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...
. When Edward Stafford
Edward Stafford (politician)
Sir Edward Stafford, KCMG served as the third Premier of New Zealand on three occasions in the mid 19th century. His total time in office is the longest of any leader without a political party. He is described as pragmatic, logical, and clear-sighted.-Early life and career:Edward William Stafford...
formed a government on 2 June 1856, Richmond accepted an invitation to become Colonial Secretary (forerunner to the modern Minister of Internal Affairs). When Henry Sewell
Henry Sewell
Henry Sewell was a prominent 19th century New Zealand politician. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-government, and is generally regarded as having been the country's first Premier, having led the Sewell Ministry in 1856.-Early life:Sewell was born on 7 September 1807 in the town of...
resigned, Richmond also became Colonial Treasurer (forerunner to the modern Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
), although Sewell briefly resumed this post for two months in 1859. On 27 August 1858, he became New Zealand's first Minister for Native Affairs
Minister of Maori Affairs
The Minister of Māori Affairs is the minister of the New Zealand government with broad responsibility for government policy towards Māori, the first inhabitants of New Zealand. The current Minister of Māori Affairs is Dr. Pita Sharples.-Role:...
, but lost this post to Frederick Weld
Frederick Weld
Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld, GCMG , was a New Zealand politician and a governor of various British colonies. He was the sixth Premier of New Zealand, and later served as Governor of Western Australia, Governor of Tasmania, and Governor of the Straits Settlements.-Early life:Weld was born near...
in late 1860. He also served as Commissioner of Customs.
Politically, Richmond aligned himself with the centralist faction, believing that the power of the provinces needed to be curtailed. Richmond also believed in the need to "reform" Māori institutions and culture, being particularly adamant about the need to eliminate the beastly communism of common land ownership. Richmond generally had a very low opinion of Māori, considering them to be savages.
He was confirmed at the 1860 general election, which was held on 28 November. After the Stafford government fell, Richmond did not remain in Parliament for long, and he resigned on 20 January 1862.
Legal career
He established a law practice in DunedinDunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
with Thomas Gillies
Thomas Gillies
Thomas Bannatyne Gillies was a 19th century New Zealand lawyer, judge and politician.-Early life:He was born at Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, on 17 January 1828...
, a fellow MP. He was soon appointed to a post as a senior judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
, a role which he seemed to enjoy more than his former political career. In 1865, he turned down an invitation by Stafford to return to politics, despite a suggestion that he could become Premier. Towards the end of his life, Richmond became increasingly conservative, condemning the Liberal Party
New Zealand Liberal Party
The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party...
's proposals for women's suffrage
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
, a land tax, and an income tax.