Serving Two Masters: the Medical and Political Careers of Sir Charles Tupper N Cite As: CMAJ 2017 June 26;189:E866-8

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Serving two masters: the medical and political careers of Sir Charles Tupper n Cite as: CMAJ 2017 June 26;189:E866-8. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.170224

ir William Osler acknowledged the that this would be his life. He served a on a call; they would find a different horse challenge of serving two masters, large rural area with calls as far as 40 miles in their barn, because Tupper exchanged in his obituary for Sir Charles away. Farmers knew when Tupper was out horses on his long routes. STupper but said that Tupper had applied himself fully as a physician and a politician. Tupper was a physician who championed public health, better hospital care and improved medical education. He became a founder and the first president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). At the same time, he was a formidable pro- vincial and then federal politician, a Father of Confederation and prime minister of Canada. Osler recognized the unique con- tribution of this combination in his com- ment, “His life is an illustration of the bril- liant success of the doctor in politics.”1 Sir Charles Tupper was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, on July 2, 1821. Early in life, he saw himself as a physician, not a politician. His education was initially at home and directed by his father, a Baptist minister who wrote scholarly religious tracts. His parents were both descendants of New England Planters who arrived in the Mari- times after the expulsion of the Acadians. In 1835, at age 15, Tupper apprenticed in Amherst with Dr. Benjamin Page and then with Dr. Ebenezer Harding in Windsor, Nova Scotia, before applying to study medicine at Edinburgh University. The university accepted his years as an apprentice, and he was able to complete his medical training in three years. His 1843 thesis on obstetrics was put forward for a university medal by his mentor, James Young Simpson (who introduced chloroform as an anesthetic).2 He had some extraordinary teachers at Edinburgh who believed that medicine was a social good, and this had a profound influence on the young Dr. Tupper. He began practice in Amherst, where he also opened a pharmacy with his brother Peter B. Waite fonds (MS-2-718, PB Box 13, File 93). Dalhousie University Archives, Halifax that is still in operation. Tupper expected Photograph of Sir Charles Tupper circa 1880.

E866 CMAJ | JUNE 26, 2017 | VOLUME 189 | ISSUE 25 © 2017 Joule Inc. or its licensors HUMANITIES 5 E867 He came prepared for what- He came prepared for 4 Tupper continued to practise medicineTupper continued to half-century remarkable Tupper’s Politicians of the day were puzzled by His presidency was admired, and and admired, was presidency His wherever he was living during his politicalwherever he was living life: Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, and at his - summer home in St. Andrew’s, New Bruns wick. He always had his black bag by his chair in the House of Commons. record in public service has seldom been - surpassed. He was premier of Nova Sco tia, and after Confederation and election to Parliament, he served as president of of minister Council, Privy Queen’s the internal revenue, minister of customs and - minister of railways and canals responsi - ble for building the Canadian Pacific Rail way. He authored the national policy for the government of Prime Minister John A. - Macdonald. He was appointed high com missioner to London and, just when he was retiring in 1895, was brought back from London to help the Conservative party in the election. He was again elected and when Sir Mackenzie Bowell resigned over Manitoba school issues in 1896, Tupper became Prime Minister, although his party was defeated just 44 days later by Wilfred Laurier. Tupper’s forthright, aggressive and forceful manner. They were used to Victorian oratory, negotiation and subtle political expediency. He was blunt and unbending in debate. He came to committee rooms until leave not did and facts with armed he achieved what he wanted. When it came to unifying the country, he recog- his with Macdonald, A. John that nized at better was a conciliator, as skills subtle bringing disparate groups together. Tupper was often the driving force, but Macdonald led the process. Macdonald, a professional code of ethics. At the end end the At ethics. of code professional a another he was elected for of the meeting next year, was repeated the term; this to president CMA only the him making terms. serve three politics of the day although the medical Tupper was were often very heated, always cool. ever issue was raised. His long political His long political ever issue was raised. in his leadership of experience showed decisions “weight the CMA and gave his members and character.” The association to his will, show- “invariably submitted” in him. ing their complete confidence 3 ISSUE 25 ISSUE | VOLUME 189 VOLUME | The odds were more in his favour favour his in more were odds The In the 1867 elections in Nova Scotia, 36 Since 1860, Tupper had been working working had been 1860, Tupper Since The first annual CMA meeting was The first annual CMA meeting was JUNE 26, 2017 | when, only a few months later that same when, only a few months later that same year, Tupper was instrumental in bringing - together the physicians of the new con federation. Despite his busy schedule, he travelled to Quebec for a meeting at Laval the discuss to 1867, 9, Oct. on University - organization of a national medical soci ety. The Quebec hosts felt their society president, first be the should president but Dr. W. Marsten declined, saying that Dr. Charles Tupper would be “a more elected was Tupper choice.” desirable unanimously and delivered “an eloquent address,” indicating that the new organization would be dedicated to the protec- tion of the health and lives of the people of the nation, and to improving professional qualification and licensure. The members then toured the Beauport Luna- tic Asylum. After a fine dinner with many toasts and another speech from the new president, they climbed into 30 carriages Louis St. the to Tupper followed and Hotel for some final libations and sleep. - of the 38 seats were won by anticonfeder Scotia Nova 19 of 18 federally, ationists; representatives were anticonfederation. Against these remarkable odds, Tupper - brought Nova Scotians into Confedera tion and kept them there. toward a larger end. He envisioned a con- end. He envisioned toward a larger but of the Canadian colonies federation Union. In begin with Maritime wanted to Confer- the Charlottetown 1864, he called and Maritime Provinces ence of the from Upper and invited representatives came with a desire Lower Canada, who At home in for that wider confederation. to contend with a Nova Scotia, he had movement that strong anticonfederation and wealthy was led by Howe, bankers were prosperous merchants. The colonies change the status and saw no reason to confederation as a quo, but Tupper saw a of part become to Scotia Nova for way larger presence. held in Montréal in September 1868. held in Montréal in September 1868. Tupper gave the first presidential address and was interrupted repeatedly by applause and cheers as he spoke about education, the importance of medical regulating the profession and developing CMAJ - One of Tupper’s first priorities as pre- primary reforming with content Not His career changed in March 1852 when in March changed His career As premier, Tupper pursued an active lished an office of vital statistics. fundedpublicly free, establish to was mier Scotia, Nova in children all for education regardless of income, religion or location. He was aware that his own party, the opposition and taxpayers were against the idea. Tupper refused to back down: in 1864, Nova Scotia established the first free nonsectarian education system in British as voiced not Although America. North - such at the time, this was a major step for of determinants the improving in ward health for this population. The public and the politicians were also getting a taste of the unbending forceful vision of the “fighting doctor” from Amherst. - estab to looked also Tupper education, lish the struggling Dalhousie University as greatly which institution, nonsectarian a upset his father and the Baptist support- ers of his party. He led in getting the uni- years spent and feet its on back versity arguing to establish a Dalhousie medical school. The medical society said it was not possible without a general hospital or anatomy act. Tupper pushed for both, as well as a new poor house. Dalhousie Med- ical School opened in 1868. he agreed to introduce a local Conservativehe agreed to prominentthe debating was politician who Howe.Liberal politician Joseph editor and opportu- gave Tupper the The introduction of his rea- his mind. The force nity to speak his neigh- soned arguments impressed It would also bebours and the politicians. feud betweenthe beginning of a life-long a few years Tupper the two men; within become premier ofwould defeat Howe and Both men had strongNova Scotia in 1864. but differing feelings for Nova Scotia inward to Nova Sco- visions. Howe looked looked outward and tia’s virtues. Tupper of a larger Britishsaw Nova Scotia as part and the world. presence in North America political agenda but continued his busy became the also and medical practice medical officer for Halifax. While working - for Maritime Union and later Confedera tion, he passed health-related legislation to bury the open sewers running down the - streets of Halifax, dealt with a cholera epi estab and laws quarantine set demic,

HUMANITIES E868 available toappeaseOntarioandQue- same, sothatadditionalplaceswouldbe D’Arcy McGeefromQuebectodothe Cabinet, andhehadconvincedThomas solution. Hewouldgiveuphispositionin came to the meeting the next day with a reflect theirlargerpopulations.Tupper tribution ofCabinetpositionsthatdidnot Ontario andQuebecobjectedtothedis- Brown would be tapped instead,because donald wouldfailandtheHon.George ernment. However,itlookedlikeMac- Monck askedMacdonaldtoformthegov- proclaimed onJuly1,1867,andLord when TheBritishNorthAmericaActwas admired butnotliked. required. It is not surprising that he was sharp lancetorbluntinstrumentwas mined to do it and would use whatever thing neededtobedone,hewasdeter- yer’s subtledancingforhim.Whensome- as asurgeon.Therewasnoneofthelaw- approached politicsnotasapoliticianbut keep itspromises. courage andhisdemandthatgovernment enemies admiredhissheerforce, always sentforTupper.EvenTupper’s with apoliticalimpasse,Macdonald could strong-armanychange.Whenfaced of havingTupperbyhisside,becausehe on theotherhand,recognized the value Tupper came to Macdonald’s rescue Tupper wassuccessfulbecausehe CMAJ believed that “medicine is a social science, believed that“medicineisasocialscience, physician–scientist andpolitician,Osler pathologist Rudolf Virchow, who wasboth in politics. bec. Seldomdoweseesuchselflessacts bly. masters, medicineandpolitics,admira- Charles Tupper, said Tupper served two cian andfriendtothemoreseniorSir flies overhisgrave. wife andtwodaughters.ACanadianflag ied in Fairview Cemetery alongside his returned toNovaScotia,whereheisbur- 1915 attheageof94.Hisbodywas Father ofConfederationwhenhediedin much later.Hewasthelastsurviving that wouldonlycomeintoexistence ish Commonwealthnations,something speeches advocatinganallianceofBrit- ter Emma and her family. There, he made to Londonatage82benearhisdaugh- leader until1901,whenheagainretired reconciled. The twofriendsquarrelledandnever donald wasworriedaboutcostoverruns. brought themintoConfederation.Mac- was hispromisetoNovaScotianswhenhe would tiethecountrytogether,andthis Railway. Tupperbelievedtherailway had afallingoutovertheCanadianPacific | JUNE26, 2017 Sir WilliamOsler,whowasbothphysi- Tupper continuedastheparty’s However, TupperandMacdonaldsoon 7 Likehis contemporary, German 6 | VOLUME 189 | ISSUE 25 8 7 large scale.” and politicsnothingelsebutmedicineona 4 6 5 1. References NS Neurology, DalhousieUniversity,Halifax, Department ofMedicine,Division T. JockMurrayMD of theCanadianMedicalAssociation. lishing tocommemoratethe150thanniversary This article is part of a series that CMAJis pub- (Fitzhenry &Whiteside,1998). Tupper: FightingDoctortoFatherofConfederation Dr. T.JockMurrayistheauthorofSirCharles This articlehasbeenpeerreviewed. 3. 2 ......

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