On June 1, 1823, Anthony Lockwood, Surveyor General of New Brunswick, rode down the streets of Fredericton waving pistols at passersby in a bid to take over the government. How a man of low birth who reached such great heights arrived at this sad state of affairs is the subject of a new biography by the late University of New Brunswick professor (and founding editor of Goose Lane Editions) Peter Thomas and naval historian Nicholas Tracy.

Little is known about Lockwood’s early years in England; he first appears on record when he was forced into service in the Royal Navy in 1795. After spending several years in the Caribbean, he moved to Nova Scotia in 1814 and then New Brunswick. His rise to Surveyor General was rare in New Brunswick’s highly class-conscious society.

Lockwood was greatly involved in the region’s development following the War of 1812, especially with regards to the settlement of immigrants. However, his unsupported attempt to overthrow the colonial government resulted in a declaration of lunacy. He ended his days in England, having lost both his money and the respect of his contemporaries.

In his introduction, Thomas admits that Lockwood does not “demand much attention from any but local historians.” In fact, this book serves better as a history of colonial New Brunswick than a biography, as it includes more information about peripheral characters and events than about Lockwood himself. The authors justify using Lockwood as a focal point because, they write, his madness is linked with the revolutionary spirit of the times. This seems far-fetched, especially given that little evidence as to Lockwood’s motivations survives.

That being said, Master & Madman offers an interesting look at early 19th century New Brunswick, including discussions of issues such as the demand for responsible government and how to keep enterprising settlers from moving to the U.S. While Anthony Lockwood’s role in this history remains murky, his story provides an entry point for those with a broader interest in this era.