Parliamentary Relatives – The Winters Family Tale: Ties in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Legislature
Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its winters, and that reputation extends to our House of Assembly. Two generations of Winter brothers held senior roles in the executive and legislative branches of the Newfoundland government: brothers Marmaduke George Winter and James Spearman Winter, and James’ sons Harry Anderson Winter and James Alexander Winter. The story began when James Spearman Winter and Marmaduke George Winter were born in Lamaline, on the tip of the Burin Peninsula, to James and Harriet (Pitman) Winter.
James S. had a very successful career in law and politics; he was elected MHA for Burin in 1873 and became Speaker on February 1, 1877. He became Justice of the Supreme Court in 1893, then returned to politics to become Prime Minister in 1897. He was called Newfoundland’s first “outport” Prime Minister, being the first born in the province.
On a different path, Marmaduke began his career as a merchant. He worked abroad before returning home to start a company with his brother, Thomas. Unlike other family members, he was not elected to the House of Assembly. However, he did participate in the politics of the dominion. In 1910, he was appointed to Legislative Council, the upper chamber of Newfoundland’s bicameral government. In 1923, he served as government house leader. His personal house, Winterholme, is a Queen Anne Revival style home that is now a National Historic Site.
The Winter legacy continued when James Spearman Winters’ sons followed in their father’s political footsteps. James Alexander Winter and Harry Anderson Winter founded the law firm Winter and Winter, before making their marks on the House of Assembly. Harry was a Rhodes Scholar and studied classics and law at Oxford. In 1923, he became the member for Port de Grave and assumed the role of Speaker on June 6. In 1947, he was appointed to the Supreme Court and remained there until his retirement.
James A. was elected MHA for Burin East in 1928, and then Burgeo and La Poile in 1932. He was appointed Speaker on April 10, 1933 and was the last before the suspension of responsible government. His achievements include appointment to the Commission of Government, being named Registrar of the Supreme Court, and being made a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, it would be unusual for us to declare we had a run of successful winters but it could definitely be said of the Winter family in local politics.
Lauren Kean
Information Resources Technician, House of Assembly