Albert Norton Richards

Albert Norton Richards, born on December eighth, eighteen twenty-one, in Brockville, Upper Canada, was a prominent Canadian lawyer and political figure. The son of Stephen Richards and Phoebe Buell, he pursued a legal career under the guidance of his brother, William Buell Richards, and was called to the bar in eighteen forty-eight. His legal practice flourished in both Brockville and Victoria, British Columbia, where he became one of the founders of the Vancouver-based law firm Richards Buell Sutton.

Richards's political career began in earnest when he was elected to the eighth Parliament of the Province of Canada in eighteen sixty-three. Although he faced defeat in eighteen sixty-four after accepting the role of Solicitor General for Canada West, he persevered and was elected as a Liberal member representing Leeds South in the House of Commons of Canada from eighteen seventy-two to eighteen seventy-four. His political journey also included a brief appointment as Attorney General in the provisional government of the Northwest, although he was thwarted by rebels at Pembina in eighteen sixty-nine.

In eighteen seventy-six, Richards was sworn in as the second Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, a position he held until eighteen eighty-one. After his term, he returned to Ontario for three years before resuming his legal practice in Victoria. His contributions to the legal community were recognized when he served as Treasurer of the Law Society of British Columbia from eighteen eighty-nine to eighteen ninety-two and again from eighteen ninety-four to eighteen ninety-seven.

Richards's personal life included two marriages: first to Frances Chaffey in eighteen forty-nine and later to Ellen Chaffey Chislett in eighteen fifty-four. His legacy continued through his daughter, the painter Frances Richards, born in eighteen fifty-two. Albert Norton Richards passed away in Victoria in eighteen ninety-seven, leaving behind a lasting impact, including the naming of Richards Street in Vancouver in his honor.