Roland Fairbairn McWilliams

Roland Fairbairn McWilliams (born October 10, 1874 in Peterborough , Ontario , † December 10, 1957 in Winnipeg ) was a Canadian politician . From 1940 to 1953 he was lieutenant governor of the province of Manitoba .

Life

McWilliams studied law at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School . In 1899 he was admitted as a lawyer and practiced then in the city of Peterborough. On the side of the Ontario Liberal Party , he entered 1905 unsuccessfully in the elections to the legislative assembly of Ontario . A year later he was elected Mayor of Peterborough. In 1910 he moved to Winnipeg and founded his own law firm there.

In addition to his professional activities, McWilliams played an important role in the youth organization YMCA . In 1923/24 he was Vice President of the North American Association and from 1922 to 1929 President of the Canadian National Association. He also chaired the Winnipeg City Planning Commission. In 1926 he went on a trip to the Soviet Union and later wrote two books on the country's political and economic situation. In contrast to his wife Margaret, who was a member of the Winnipeg City Council for several years, he did not seek political office anymore.

Governor General Lord Athlone swore in McWilliams on November 1, 1940 as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. He held this representative office until August 1, 1953. The University of Manitoba awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1945 . As a strict follower of the abstinence movement , McWilliams did not allow alcohol to be served in his residence; this arrangement also covered the visit of Crown Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1951.

Web links

• Listing on the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba website
• Biography on the Manitoba Historical Society website