Isaac Earl Featherston, popularly known as the Little Doctor, was a New Zealand politician, known for his advocacy for the establishment of New Zealand self-government, and the importance of the provincial governments.

The 1853 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's first term. It was the first national election ever held in New Zealand, although Parliament did not yet have full authority to govern the colony, which was part of the British Empire at that time. Elections for the first provincial councils and their Superintendents were held at the same time.