Book description
Born in Gambo, Newfoundland, Joseph ("Joey") Smallwood
(1900-1991) spent his life championing the worth and potential of his
native province. Although he was a successful journalist and radio
personality, Smallwood is best known for his role in bringing
Newfoundland into Confederation with Canada in 1949, believing that such
an action would secure an average standard of living for
Newfoundlanders. He was rightfully dubbed the "only living Father
of Confederation" in his lifetime and was premier of the province
for twenty-three years.
During much of the last part of the twentieth century, Smallwood
remained a prominent player in the story of Newfoundland and
Labrador's growth as a province. Later in life he put himself in debt
in order to complete his Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and
Labrador, the only project of its kind in Canada up to that point.
Joey Smallwood reexamines the life of this incredible figure in
light of Newfoundland's progress in recent years, and measures his
vision against its new position as a province of prosperity rather
than poverty.
Ray Argyle has written for publications such as
The Beaver
and the
National Post
and is the author of several books, including
The Boy in the Picture
and
Turning Points
. He lives in Toronto.
