Edward Henry Davey

Who was Edward Henry Davey?

Edward Henry Davey architect and politician born St. John’s is best known, along with his brother George, as builders of the city of St. John's after the great fire of 1892.

Davey educated at the Central School in St. John’s underwent an apprenticeship with his father, also a carpenter, and formed a partnership between father and son. Upon the death of his father he went into business with his brother George and to form E.H. and G. Davey, Contractors, Builders and Ships Joiners. The company’s offices were located at 111 Bond Street with wharf and stores situated on the St. John’s waterfront.

In the aftermath of the great fire of 1892 there was great demand for architects, contractors and builders. The Davey brothers were at the forefront of this massive effort and were responsible for many of the new buildings that were erected in the months following the fire:

⁕The Church of England Orphanage

⁕the British Hall

⁕the restoration of the Church of England Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

By 1900 the company was very successful and Davey decided to enter politics. In the November 8, 1900 both Davey and his running mate, Henry Gear, won the dual district of Burin for the Liberal Party, led by Robert Bond. Davey spent 11 years as MHA for Burin. He was re-elected in the general election of 1904. Davey and Gear were returned to the House of Assembly in the famous tie-election of 1908. He was re-elected in the 1909 election.