Hon. Joseph Howe Copyright

Howe was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1804 and was the man who led the fight against Confederation in Nova Scotia. He started as a newspaper owner, becoming interested in politics because he was always reporting on political stories. He wanted responsible government for Nova Scotia, and because of his efforts Nova Scotia became the first to achieve responsible government in Canada in 1848.

When the premier, Charles Tupper, pushed Confederation through, Howe criticized him for going ahead with it when the people didn't want it. In the next election the people showed their anger at Tupper by voting him out. Howe and his anti-Confederates were voted in. However, it was too late to undo Confederation. Howe eventually decided that he could best help his province by getting into the federal government. He believed that if he was in the federal government he could make sure Nova Scotia was treated well. He was appointed lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia in 1873, and died that same year.