15 Facts About Richard Hatfield

The youngest of five children of Heber Hatfield and Dora Robinson, Richard was brought up with politics in the household.

Young Richard spent a lot of time in Ottawa even getting to know John Diefenbaker and his first wife Edna.

Richard Hatfield got involved in drama, an experience that seemed to have the most lasting impact of any during his years at Acadia.

Richard Hatfield left Halifax in 1957 and moved to Truro to take a job with the firm Patterson, Smith, Matthew and Grant so he could do his six months articling period.

Richard Hatfield declined a job offer at the firm and he never practised law again.

Richard Hatfield stayed in Ottawa for nine months until he called his brother Fred for a job back home.

Frederick Heber Hatfield, who was managing the potato shipping and processing operation since Heber died, agreed and Richard became vice-president of sales.

Richard Hatfield ran against his brother-in-law Gerald Clark, and won easily with a majority of 1,736 votes.

Richard Hatfield became Leader of the Opposition and interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives after the 1967 general election and was elected party leader in 1969.

Richard Hatfield led the party to victory in the 1970 provincial election.

Richard Hatfield took leadership in helping create equality between the province's Francophone Acadian minority and Anglophone majority.

Several days after the acquittal, allegations emerged that Richard Hatfield had invited four young men to an all-night party in his Fredericton home in 1981.

The men accused Richard Hatfield of giving them marijuana and of using cocaine during the evening.

Richard Hatfield was soundly defeated in his own riding by the Liberal, Allison DeLong, and lost by 18 points.

Richard Hatfield resigned as Premier of New Brunswick and as party leader.