Alexander Edmund Batson Davie

Alexander Edmund Batson Davie, QC, born on November 24, 1847, was a prominent figure in British Columbia's political landscape, serving as the eighth premier from 1887 until his untimely death in 1889. His legal career began when he was called to the bar in 1873, making him the first individual to complete his entire law education in British Columbia.

Davie's political journey commenced in 1875 when he was elected to the provincial legislature as an independent opposition candidate from the Cariboo riding. Although he faced a setback in 1877 after a brief tenure as provincial secretary under Premier Andrew Charles Elliott, he made a comeback in 1882, representing Lillooet and taking on the role of attorney-general under Premier William Smithe. Notably, he championed provincial rights, arguing before the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the province's authority to regulate liquor sales.

Following Smithe's death in 1887, Davie was appointed premier by the lieutenant-governor. However, his health deteriorated shortly thereafter, prompting him to seek recuperation in California. During his absence, Provincial Secretary John Robson managed the government, while Davie attempted to influence policy through correspondence. He returned in May 1888, but his health continued to decline, leading to his death in office in August of the same year.

Davie's legacy is commemorated in Vancouver with Davie Street named in his honor. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in September 1883, and his familial ties to politics continued with his brother, Theodore Davie, who became premier in 1892. On December 3, 1874, he married Constance Langford Skinner, with whom he had four children. Alexander Edmund Batson Davie rests in the Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria, British Columbia.