As Gwyn shows, however, Smallwood possessed ambition of a rare order and utterly unconquerable self-confidence. He was self-taught, and possessed the enthusiasm and wrong-headedness of the autodidact.
Smallwood’s work experience was checkered, at best, but included stints as a contributor to socialist newspapers in New York and London. The first premier of Newfoundland, Smallwood ran Newfoundland virtually unchallenged for 23 years. With 52.3% of a controversial vote marred by sectarian tensions Newfoundlanders voted with Smallwood and the boundaries of Canada as we know them today were established. Should they join the US as its 49th state? Maintain ties with the British via a British-led commission of government? Should they join Canada? Joey Smallwood, a well-known radio personality, writer and organizer at the time, led a spirited campaign in favor of joining Canada.
A full ten years before Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states of the union a massive British Dominion on the Eastern Seaboard was at a crossroads. A one time pig farmer and ardent socialist-turned-union-buster Smallwood is best remembered as the man responsible for bringing Newfoundland into confederation with Canada. And no wonder! Set against a colorful background in stirring times it has, as its hero, a character whose career defied both convention and the odds. The extraordinary life of Joey Smallwood is the stuff of fiction-literally: Wayne Johnston’s acclaimed novel, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, draws heavily on this definitive biography.