orig. Joseph Roberts Smallwood
born Dec. 24, 1900, Gambo, Nfd.
died Dec. 17, 1991, St. Johns, Nfd., Can.
Canadian politician.
He worked for socialist publications in New York City (1921–25), then returned to Newfoundland to become a union organizer and radio broadcaster. An advocate of confederation with Canada, he was elected to a convention to decide Newfoundland's future (1946); his vigorous campaign helped effect its admission as a province (1948). He was elected Newfoundland's first premier in 1949 and retained leadership of the government and the ruling Liberal Party until 1971.