Noah Shakespeare

Noah Shakespeare, born on January twenty-sixth, eighteen thirty-nine, in Staffordshire, England, made a significant mark in Canadian politics as a prominent figure in British Columbia. Arriving in Victoria in eighteen sixty-three, he initially ventured into the photography business, establishing a gallery and serving as an agent for fellow photographers.

Shakespeare's political career began with an independent candidacy in the second British Columbia election of eighteen seventy-five, where he finished fourth in a two-member district. His political ambitions flourished as he became a leading voice in the anti-Chinese movement, advocating for restrictions on Chinese immigration. In eighteen seventy-eight, he took on the role of president of the Workingmen's Protective Association, a short-lived organization aimed at influencing the political landscape during the election.

His popularity in Victoria soared, leading to his election as mayor in eighteen eighty-two. That same year, he also secured a seat as a Conservative Member of Parliament, triumphing over former B.C. Premier Amor De Cosmos in the Victoria district. Although he was re-elected in eighteen eighty-seven, Shakespeare resigned just three months later to accept the position of Postmaster for Victoria, marking a notable transition in his career.