Thompson, John Sparrow David

Monday, May 21, 2012

Thompson, John Sparrow David

Also known as Sir John Sparrow David Thompson Cemetery: Holy Cross, Halifax

Date of Birth: November 10, 1845 Place of birth: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Date of Death: December 12, 1894 Place of death: Windsor Castle, England Cause of death: heart attack

Sir John Sparrow David Thompson Sir John Thompson was the fourth Prime Minister of Canada. He was only Prime Minister for 2 years when he suddenly died in office. His major contribution was the Canadian Criminal Code.

Sir John Thompson's Grave at Holy Cross Cemetery in Halifax

Interment Info

After an elaborate funeral in England staged by Queen Victoria, his remains were transported back to Canada aboard the armoured cruiser HMS Blenheim, which was painted black for the occasion. He was buried on January 3, 1895 in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia. From Collections Canada: John Thompson died in 1894, only two years after becoming prime minister. His shocking death, as a result of a sudden stroke at Windsor Castle, challenged royal protocol. Queen Victoria insisted Thompson be returned to Canada with due pomp and ceremony. A requiem mass was held at Windsor and the HMS Blenheim was painted black to transport Thompson's coffin to Halifax, where his funeral took place on January 3, 1895. Canadian artist Frederick Bell-Smith witnessed the arrival of the Blenheim and was inspired to paint three scenes concerning the death of Thompson. One, The Arrival of the Blenheim, was destroyed in the House of Commons fire of 1916. The other two, The State Funeral and The Queen's Tribute, have been restored by the National Archives.

Did you know ... ?

Sir John Thompson was the second of two Canadian prime ministers to die in office and the first of three who did not die in Canada.

David Thompson first Catholic Prime Minister

Sir David Thompson was the fist Roman Catholic Prime Minister.