William John Bowser

William John Bowser (ca.1915)

William John Bowser (born December 3, 1867 in Rexton , New Brunswick , † October 25, 1933 in Vancouver ) was a Canadian politician and lawyer . He was from December 15, 1915 to November 23, 1916 Prime Minister of the Province of British Columbia and Chairman of the British Columbia Conservative Party .

biography

Bowser studied law at Dalhousie University in Halifax and was admitted to the bar in 1890. In 1891 he moved to Vancouver and opened a law firm there. In 1895 he joined the Freemasons and in October 1903 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia . In the government of Richard McBride , with whom he had studied together, he was active from 1907 as Attorney General . After McBride's resignation on December 15, 1915, Lieutenant Governor Francis Stillman appointed Barnard Bowser Prime Minister, who also took over the party leadership on the same day.

The conservatives were divided and unpopular among the population, which was not changed by the change in the party leadership. Accusations of corruption grew and the government ignored calls for women to vote and alcohol prohibition . In the elections in September 1916, the Conservatives suffered a defeat, and Bowser continued in office until November 23. Afterwards he was opposition leader until he lost his seat in June 1924. In 1933 he returned to politics. He led a group of independent candidates but passed away during the election campaign.

Web links

• William John Bowser ( English, French ) In: The Canadian Encyclopedia .
• Short Biography - Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon