Herbert James Palmer

Herbert James Palmer
11th Premier of Prince Edward Island
In office
May 16, 1911 – December 2, 1911
Monarch George V
Lieutenant Governor Benjamin Rogers
Preceded by Francis Haszard
Succeeded by John A. Mathieson
Leader of the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
In office
1911–1912
Preceded by Francis Haszard
Succeeded by John A. Mathieson
Personal details
Born August 26, 1851
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Died December 22, 1939 (aged 88)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Nationality Canadian
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Ada Millicent Patena (m. 1880)
Relations Edward Palmer (father)
Children Helen Isabel, Beatrice Adele, Philip Errol, Harold Leonard, and Charles Nevill Tremain
Residence Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Alma mater Prince of Wales College
University of King's College
Occupation lawyer and director
Profession Politician
Religion Anglican

H. James Palmer (August 26, 1851 – December 22, 1939) was the 11th Premier of Prince Edward Island and the son of former colonial Premier Edward Palmer.

Born in Charlottetown, Palmer was educated at Prince of Wales College and then at King's College in Windsor, Nova Scotia.

He was called to the bar in 1876 and became a Queen's Counsel in 1878. Palmer entered the provincial legislature as a Liberal upon winning a seat in the election of 1900. He served as Attorney-General at various times except between 1904 and 1908 when he was out of office. In May 1911 he became premier when Francis Longworth Haszard was appointed to the Supreme Court of the province. At the time, members of the legislature were required to resign their seats and run for re-election in a by-election. Palmer did so but was defeated in the December by-election. He resigned as premier and returned to his law practice. The loss of Palmer's seat also caused the Liberal government to lose their majority in the legislature and the lieutenant governor asked the leader of the opposition, John A. Mathieson, to form a new government.

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