Vancouver Island Masonic History Project
Sir Richard McBride (15 December 1870 – 6 August 1917) was Premier of British Columbia from 1903 to 1915, when poor health compelled him to resign. During his time in office, he was popularly known as “The People’s Dick.” Following his resignation, he became Agent General for British Columbia in London, England.
He affiliated with Union Lodge, No. 9 in New Westminster in 1899.
Click here for the Grand Lodge of B.C. & Yukon pages on Masonic Premiers of B.C. and Sir Richard McBride.
Here is more online information on Sir Richard McBride:
Here is some biographical information on Sir Richard McBride taken from various sources:
“The first of B.C.’s Premiers to be born in the province, “the people’s Dick” took his law degree at Dalhousie in 1890, then moved to Atlin. First elected to the Legislature in 1898, he became the Minister of Mines in 1900. Resigning this appointment 1901, he was formally elected Leader of the opposition to Dunsmuir’s government. This was the introduction of party politics into provincial government. In November 1902 Dunsmuir retired. E. G. Prior succeeded him until his government was dismissed by the Lieutenant-Governor who asked McBride to form a new government on June 1, 1903. He was returned to office in the October 1903 election, and again, with a strong party majority, in 1907 and 1909. In poor health, he resigned on December 15, 1915, leaving for England to assume the post of Agent-General of British Columbia.”
(Source: Grand Lodge of B.C. & Yukon website.)
Sir Richard McBride is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
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