Simon Hugh Holmes

Who was Simon Hugh Holmes?

Simon Hugh Holmes was a Nova Scotia politician, publisher and lawyer. He was the fourth Premier of Nova Scotia for ten years.

Holmes was born in Springville, Nova Scotia, in Pictou County. The son of Nova Scotia politician and Canadian senator John Holmes, Holmes in 1858 founded and edited the Pictou Colonial Standard as “a dedicated advocate of the principles of true Conservatism.” The paper and Holmes were advocates of Canadian confederation. Holmes remained editor until 1878 when he became Premier.

Holmes attempted to win a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1867 but was defeated in a wave of anti-Confederation sentiment. He managed to win a seat in 1871 and soon became de facto leader of the Conservative opposition. The Tories won the 1878 election and Holmes became Premier of the province to find the treasury depleted and the Legislative Council in the hands of the Liberals.

The Tory government passed legislation to create county government, lengthened the training period for teachers, subsidized education for blind children and attempted to improve mine safety.