PHOTO- modified from: BCARCHIVES A_08953
Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie
spent the first thirty-nine years of his life in Great Britain, far removed
from the land he was to have such an influence on later in life. During these
years Begbies life was filled with social and intellectual activities.
He received his first degree from Cambridge University where he studied Math
and the Classics. He was involved in a great number of extracurricular activities,
devoting his free time to singing and acting in amateur productions, playing
chess, rowing, and tennis. After Cambridge Begbie went on to study law. Some
accounts claim he was a poor law student and barely managed to graduate. Despite
this, he managed to establish a successful law practice in London before heading
to British Columbia.
It was not Begbies skill as a lawyer that won him the appointment of British
Columbias first judge. The judge for this new colony had to be in excellent
physical shape to thrive in the wilderness of British Columbia, a qualification
Begbie met with his exceptional 65 height and athleticism. The position
also called for someone with courage and enough integrity to resist bribes;
all qualities of Begbies character.
The new colony was in desperate need of a magistrate to maintain law and order
over the American mining population, so when Begbie finally arrived in Victoria
on November 15th, 1858, he was greeted with great joy. He was immediately thrown
into his duties when Ned McGowans War erupted six weeks after his arrival.
This was to be the first of many events proving him to be levelheaded and fair
in dispensing justice. He traveled all over British Columbia, on horseback and
on foot, using his sleeping tent as his judicial chamber during the day. Despite
his informal surroundings, Begbie always wore his robes and wig while holding
court. During his travels Begbie also made note of the topography, weather,
agricultural potential and possible road, town, and bridge sites in the areas
he visited, providing valuable information to the colonial government
Contrary to his famous nickname The
Hanging Judge, Begbie only imposed a few death sentences during his reign,
yet he was not without fault in the courtroom and certainly had his detractors.
He did not particularly like or respect juries and their verdicts.
Also, he did not always strictly follow the law, but adapted it to suit his
own beliefs and the land he was practicing in. Begbie was a snob when it came
to other lawyers, distrusting any who were not trained within the British Empire.
He even attempted to ban them from practicing in his court.
When Begbie was not traveling on his court circuit he lived in Victoria. He
was an active participant in the community, becoming the first President of
Victoria Philharmonic Society soon after his arrival. Throughout his lifetime
he continued to provide impromptu solo singing performances to the societys
delight. For his outstanding service to the British Crown, Queen Victoria knighted
him in 1875. Begbie spent his retirement in Victoria where he died in 1894.