Richard Gibbons.

About Richard Gibbons

Richard Gibbons was a British jurist and politician who served as the chief justice of the Colony of Cape Breton, from 1785 until 1788 and again from 1791 until his 1794 death in Nantes, France. Gibbons was a significant figure in the founding of the Colony of Cape Breton and was an ally of its first lieutenant-governor, Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres. He was later removed from office by DesBarres' successor William Macarmick, only to be restored after three years and selling of all of his property to advocate on his own behalf. Gibbons never returned to Cape Breton following his restoration, as he and his family were captured and put in a French prison during their return. Gibbons died in the French prison, while his family survived and returned to Cape Breton after their release.