Thomas Talbot (1818-1901), born in Kilkenny, moved to Newfoundland in 1837. He had several teaching positions on the island before joining St. Bonaventure's College in 1851. He served as an MHA for the Liberals in the 1850-60s, and ran as an anti-confederate in 1869. Appointed to the Legislative Council in 1870, he resigned in 1872 when appointed High Sheriff. Talbot was well-known for his writing, which included journalism, translation, poetry, a novel and his 1882 work Newfoundland; or, a letter addressed to a friend in Ireland in relation to the condition and circumstances of the island of Newfoundland, with an especial view to emigration. (Iona L. Bulgin, "Talbot, Thomas" Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, vol. 5, 337.)
