Richard Chapman Weldon

Richard C. Weldon MP
Member of Parliament for Albert
In office February 22, 1887 – June 23, 1896
Preceded by	John Wallace
Succeeded by	William James Lewis
1st Dean of Dalhousie Law School
In office 1883–1914
Succeeded by	Donald Alexander MacRae
Personal details
Born	(1849-01-19)January 19, 1849 Sussex, New Brunswick
Died	November 26, 1925(1925-11-26) (aged 76) Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Sarah Maria Tuttle
Profession	Attorney, Professor, Politician

Richard Chapman Weldon (January 19, 1849 – November 26, 1925) was a Canadian professor, lawyer and political figure in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. He represented Albert in the House of Commons of Canada from 1887 to 1896 as a Conservative member.

The Weldon Law Building at Dalhousie University was named for Richard Chapman Weldon, first Dean of the law school there.

Early life and education

He was born in Sussex, New Brunswick, the son of Richard Chapman Weldon and Catherine Geldart. He was educated at Mount Allison Wesleyan College and taught school for two years. Weldon returned to Mount Allison, receiving an M.A. in economics. He went on to study at Yale College, where he received a PhD in political science in 1872, and Rupert Charles University in Germany.

Career

In 1875, he returned to Mount Allison as professor of mathematics and political economy. In 1883, he became professor of law at Dalhousie University, where he established the Dalhousie Law School. In 1884, he was called to the Nova Scotia bar. In 1887, Weldon, who owned property in New Brunswick, was elected to the House of Commons. Weldon married Louisa Frances Hare in 1893 after the death of his first wife. He helped developed legislation which established conditions for extradition of American fugitives in Canada convicted of crimes in the United States, then referred to as the Weldon Act. Weldon was unsuccessful in bids for reelection in 1896, 1900 and 1906.

Death

On November 26, 1925, he died in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at the age of 76.

Personal life

On July 11, 1877, he married Sarah Maria Tuttle and they remained married until her death in 1892. He then married Louisa Frances Hare on December 28, 1893. His grandson, Richard L. Weldon, was a provincial politician and lawyer.

Awards

Dalhousie Law School established the Weldon Award in 1983 to recognize outstanding accomplishment by a graduate.

Electoral record

1887 Canadian federal election: Albert
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Richard C. Weldon	1,047	53.1	n/a
	Liberal	Alexander Rogers	923	46.9	+0.3

1891 Canadian federal election: Albert
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Richard C. Weldon	1,096	51.8	-1.3
	Liberal	Henry Emmerson	1,020	48.2	+1.3

1896 Canadian federal election: Albert
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	William J. Lewis	1,170	55.8	n/a
	Conservative	Richard C. Weldon	927	44.2	-7.6

References

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Richard Chapman Weldon – Parliament of Canada biography