Amor De Cosmos, BC's colourful pioneer journalist and politician

Join us at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum on Thursday November 21 2024 at 7:30 for a look at a uniquely-named historic figure. Retired contractor/heritage consultant and past president of the Hallmark Heritage Society Ken Johnson presents an illustrated lecture focusing on early British Columbia journalist and politician Amor De Cosmos. Born William Smith in Windsor Nova Scotia De Cosmos came to Victoria during the Fraser Canyon gold rush in 1858 and founded the British Colonist newspaper.

Casting himself as a liberal reformer and proponent of responsible government he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island and subsequently to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. De Cosmos was a passionate proponent of Confederation. He was elected to the federal House of Commons after British Columbia joined Canada in 1871. After serving as a member of parliament for 11 years De Cosmo also served concurrently as Premier of BC in the early 1870s. 

Occasionally referred to as British Columbia's Father of Confederation the sometimes eccentric Amor De Cosmos's journalistic legacy survives today in the Victoria Times-Colonist newspaper.

Tickets in advance are required and are only available at https://tinyurl.com/ynassz69

Host or Publisher Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum