Edward Dalton Shea

The Honourable Sir Edward Dalton Shea MHA MLC
3rd President of the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
In office February 17, 1886 (1886-02-17) – March 29, 1911 (1911-03-29)
Prime Minister	Robert Bond Edward P. Morris
Premier	Robert Thorburn William Whiteway Augustus F. Goodridge Daniel Joseph Greene
Governor	William Des Vœux Henry Arthur Blake Terence O'Brien Herbert Harley Murray Henry McCallum Charles Cavendish Boyle William MacGregor Ralph Champneys Williams
Preceded by	Edward Morris
Succeeded by	John Harris
Colonial Secretary
In office 1874–1885
Premier	Frederick Carter William Whiteway
Preceded by	James L. Noonan
Succeeded by	Maurice Fenelon
Member of the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
In office 1866 – January 13, 1913 (1913-01-13)
Appointed by	Frederick Carter
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Ferryland
In office May 7, 1855 (1855-05-07) – November 7, 1865 (1865-11-07) Serving with Thomas Glen
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Michael Kearney
Personal details
Born	(1820-06-29)June 29, 1820 St. John's, Newfoundland Colony
Died	January 8, 1913(1913-01-08) (aged 83) St. John's, Newfoundland
Party	Liberal (1855–1865) Conservative (1865–1908)
Spouse	Gertrude Corbett ​ ​ (m. 1849⁠–⁠1903)​
Children	7, including George
Relatives	Ambrose Shea (brother) Henry Moore Jackson (son-in-law)
Occupation	Journalist

Sir Edward Dalton Shea (June 29, 1820 – January 8, 1913) was a journalist and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Ferryland in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1855 to 1865 as a Liberal and then Conservative member.

Career

He was born in St. John's, the son of Henry Shea, an Irish-born merchant, and Eleanor Ryan. After completing his education, in 1836, he entered work in his father's business. In 1846, Shea became editor and publisher for The Newfoundlander, which had been previously edited by his brothers William Richard Shea and Ambrose Shea. He married Gertrude Corbett in 1849. Shea and his brother Ambrose became Conservatives in 1865 and he was named financial secretary for Newfoundland. In 1866, he was named to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland. Shea ran unsuccessfully for reelection to the assembly in 1873. In 1874, he was named colonial secretary. In 1886, he was named president of the Legislative Council, serving until 1912, and cashier for the Newfoundland Savings Bank, retaining that position until 1905. Shea was made a knight bachelor on 14 August 1902, after the honour had been announced in the 1902 Coronation Honours list published on 26 June 1902.

He died in St. John's at the age of 92 in 1913.

Family

His son, George Shea, also served in the Newfoundland assembly.

His daughter, Emily Shea, who was born and educated in Newfoundland, married, 1881, Captain Henry Moore Jackson, R.A., a son of the Bishop of Antigua. Emily's husband was created a C.M.G. in 1892, a K.C.M.G. in 1899, became Governor of the Leeward Islands in 1901, and Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific in 1902.

References

• Hiller, James K. (1998). "Shea, Sir Edward Dalton Shea". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (eds.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XIV (1911–1920) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.