"With his extensive and reliable knowledge, Roberts dispassionately, with frankness and sound judgment, records for posterity a very interesting part of the story of an event that, over four decades cost the province dearly in both treasure and political reputation.” — From the foreword by Clyde K. Wells

Joseph Roberts Smallwood, the first premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the “only living father of Confederation,” announced his intention to retire from politics in 1968. However, he stayed on, and was eventually defeated in the 1971 election by Progressive Conservative leader Frank Moores. Smallwood’s last days in politics were marked by controversy. For the first time, insiders such as Edward Roberts, Clyde Wells, and others give first-hand accounts of the tumultuous—and scandalous—final months in power of Premier Joey Smallwood.

Edward Roberts was involved in public life in Newfoundland and Labrador for fifty-five years, as a journalist, lawyer, and politician. He was a member of the House of Assembly for twenty-three years and served as Newfoundland and Labrador’s lieutenant governor between 2002 and 2008. He was honorary colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from 2003 to 2008, thus re-establishing the link between that office and that of the lieutenant governor, the Queen’s personal representative in Newfoundland and Labrador. He had long been passionately interested in the history of Newfoundland and her people. His first book, as editor, Peter Cashin: My Fight for Newfoundland (2012), was a Globe and Mail bestseller.Edward Roberts passed away on January 14, 2022.

Edward M. Roberts' profile page