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Religion Religion, Politics & State

The Belfast Riot of 1847

by (author) Callum Beck

Publisher
Island Studies Press
Initial publish date
Mar 2025
Category
Religion, Politics & State, Atlantic Provinces (NB, NL, NS, PE), Pre-Confederation (to 1867)
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781988692760
    Publish Date
    Mar 2025
    List Price
    $29.95

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Description

On March 1, 1847, Prince Edward Island experienced the second worst election riot in Canadian history. About 200 Scottish Protestants and 300 Irish Catholics spent the day beating each other with sticks, resulting in at least three men dead and up to 100 others injured. This event set the stage for the hardening of the sectarian conflict between Protestants and Catholics on the Island for the next 125 years.

The Belfast Riot of 1847 lays out the social and political conditions that led to the riot on the Island, introduces us to the major players on both sides, provides a detailed account of its unfolding, and takes a nuanced look at who was to blame.

About the author

Callum Beck was born and raised in Charlottetown, PEI. He completed a BA in Philosophy at UPEI, a Master of Arts in Religion at Emmanuel School of Religion in Tennessee, and a PhD at Open University in the UK. Professionally he has served as a pastor and sessional faculty at UPEI. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Beck, and they have three children and six grandchildren.

Callum Beck's profile page