A Charming Rogue: The Scandalous Life & Death of J.H. Hawthornthwaite

This tour will highlight just a few of the many scandals and rumours about British Columbia’s first Socialist M.L.A., James Hurst Hawthornthwaite. One of the most significant politicians in B.C., he represented Nanaimo from 1901 to 1912 and Newcastle from 1918-1920. He was elected as a Socialist in 1903 and co-founded the Socialist Party of Canada in 1904. During his entire personal and political life, Hawthornthwaite was embroiled in controversy, scandal, and mystery. Linda Boon will share her discoveries about the life of her step-great-grandfather on today’s tour.