Sir Robert Thorburn (March 28, 1836 – April 12, 1906) was a British-born Newfoundlander merchant and politician who served as the Premier of Newfoundland Colony from 1885 to 1889.
Early life and business career
Thorburn was born on March 28, 1836 at Juniper Bank near Walkerburn, Peeblesshire, Scotland to Robert Thorburn and Alison Thorburn (née Grieve). He emigrated to Newfoundland in 1852 to work at Baine, Johnston and Co., a mercantile firm owned and operated by his uncles Walter Grieve and James Johnstone Grieve. Thorburn then joined his uncle Walter when he split to establish his own firm, Walter Grieve and Company, in 1855, and he formally became Walter Grieve's Newfoundland agent in 1862.
Politics
Thorburn became politically involved during the 1869 election as Newfoundlanders debated joining the nascent Dominion of Canada. As a merchant supporting his family's business interests, Thorburn campaigned alongside his uncle Walter against Confederation. Premier Charles Fox Bennett rewarded Thorburn by appointing him to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland in 1870.