Term of Office: 20 May 1870 – 8 April 1872
Born: Truro, Nova Scotia, 18 May 1814
Died: Truro, Nova Scotia, 14 December 1892
- Educated at Pictou Academy, called to the bar of Prince Edward Island in 1838, of Nova Scotia in 1839.
- Member of Nova Scotia Assembly 1851-67.
- Solicitor-General (1856-57) and Attorney-General (1860-63) for Nova Scotia.
- Delegate to the 1864 Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences and 1866-67 London Conference completing the terms of Confederation.
- Secretary of State for the Provinces 1867-68.
- One of his first acts upon assuming office of Lieutenant Governor was to establish a 20-man constabulary to ensure preservation of law and order.
- Oversaw formation of the province’s first Legislature 1871.
- The threat of Fenian invasion in 1871 caused Archibald to call for volunteers in support of regular militia. His meeting with 200 Metis from St. Boniface who responded to this call – one of whom was Riel – lost him the support of the English populace of Red River, prompting his resignation in 1872.
- Served as Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia 1873-83.
- Knighted on June 6th, 1885.
- Elected to House of Commons 1888-91.