David Williams Higgins (30 November 1834 – 30 November 1917) was a Canadian journalist, politician, and author.
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of William B. Higgins and Mary Anne Williams, Higgins moved to Brooklyn with his parents and was educated there. He went to San Francisco, California in 1852 and in 1856 he founded the Morning Call newspaper, which he sold in 1858, when he moved to British Columbia. He settled in Victoria, British Columbia and was editor and proprietor of the British Colonist. He organized and was first president of the Victoria fire department and was a member of the Board of Education from 1866 to 1869.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the electoral district of Esquimalt in 1886. He was re-elected in 1890 and 1898. From 1890 to 1898, he was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. He was defeated in 1900.
He later wrote two books: The mystic spring and other tales of western life (Toronto, 1904) and The passing of a race and more tales of western life (Toronto, 1905).
Famous quotes containing the words david, williams and/or higgins:
“Perhaps of all our untamed quadrupeds, the fox has obtained the widest and most familiar reputation.... His recent tracks still give variety to a winter’s walk. I tread in the steps of the fox that has gone before me by some hours, or which perhaps I have started, with such a tip-toe of expectation as if I were on the trail of the Spirit itself which resides in the wood, and expected soon to catch it in its lair.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“I begin with a design for a hearse.
For Christ’s sake not black—
nor white either—and not polished!
Let it be weathered—like a farm wagon—”
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963)
“Politics is a choice of enemas. You’re gonna get it up the ass, no matter what you do.”
—George V. Higgins (b. 1939)