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Sir Albert Joseph Walsh
1st Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland
In office
April 1, 1949 – September 15, 1949
Monarch George VI
Governor General The Viscount Alexander of Tunis
Premier Joey Smallwood
Preceded by Gordon Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald of Gwaenysgor as last Governor of the Commission of Government of Newfoundland
Succeeded by Sir Leonard Outerbridge
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Harbour Main
In office
June 2, 1928 – June 11, 1932
Serving with Philip J. Lewis
Preceded by William Woodford
Cyril J. Cahill
Succeeded by Charles Furey
William J. Browne
Member of the Commission of Government of Newfoundland
In office
September 5, 1944 – April 1, 1949
Preceded by Lewis Edward Emerson
Succeeded by Commission of Government disbanded - union of Newfoundland with Canada
Personal details
Born (1900-04-03)April 3, 1900
Holyrood, Newfoundland island, Newfoundland
Died December 12, 1958(1958-12-12) (aged 58)
St. John's, Newfoundland island, Newfoundland, Canada
Nationality Newfoundlander - Canadian citizenship (1949-58)
Alma mater Dalhousie University
Occupation Lawyer, judge
Profession Politician
Cabinet Commissioner of Home Affairs and Education (1944–1949)
Commissioner of Defence (1947–1949)

Sir Albert Joseph Walsh (born April 3, 1900 – died December 12, 1958) was an important leader in Newfoundland. He served as a top official in charge of home affairs and education. Later, he became the chief judge of Newfoundland. When Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, he became its very first Lieutenant Governor.

Early Life and Education

Albert Walsh was born in a place called Holyrood, in Newfoundland. He went to school at St. Bonaventure's College. After that, he studied at Dalhousie University.

From 1917 to 1924, he was the principal of a school in Harbour Grace. He also studied law. This meant he could work as a lawyer in both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Political Career

Albert Walsh was a supporter of Sir Richard Squires. In 1928, he was elected as a Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) for Harbour Main. He then became the Speaker of the House of Assembly. This role meant he was in charge of leading meetings in the government.

He lost his MHA seat in the 1932 election. For the next five years, he worked as a district judge in Grand Falls and later in Corner Brook.

In 1944, he joined Newfoundland's Commission of Government. This was a group that helped run Newfoundland. He was put in charge of Home Affairs and Education. In 1947, he also took on the role of Justice of Defense.

Walsh led the group that worked out the details for Newfoundland to join Canada. When Newfoundland officially became part of Canada on April 1, 1949, he was chosen as its first Lieutenant Governor. This is a representative of the King or Queen in the province.

He left this job later that same year to become the Chief Justice (the top judge) of the province. He also worked with the United Nations to help solve problems between different countries. In 1949, he was given the title of "Sir" because of his important work.

See also

  • List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador
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