6th Premier of Saskatchewan. A member of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, he served in this position from November 1935 until July 1944. Born in Grenfell, District of Assiniboia, North-West Territories (which later became part of the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan), his father was a construction worker on the Canadian-Pacific Railway and his mother was a Scottish immigrant. At age 15, he left school and found employment at a bank and then the Saskatchewan Department of Telephones. In 1916 he enlisted in the Canadian Army and served as a cavalry officer on the Western Front during World War I. Following the end of the war, he returned to his home and studied law, before relocating to Windthorst, Saskatchewan where he owned and operated an insurance agency. In 1921 he entered politics and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, serving until 1934 during which time he held several cabinet posts. In 1935 he became the Canadian Minister of Agriculture under Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's Liberal government and in November of that year, he was elected Premier of Saskatchewan, replacing James G. Gardiner. During his tenure, he refused to run the provincial government in the red and increased spending by implementing a new sales tax. In July 1944 he was defeated by Tommy Douglas but remained Leader of the Opposition until August 1946, when he resigned his post. In 1951 he became Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan until his retirement in February 1958, becoming the first person to hold both posts as Saskatchewan's premier and lieutenant governor. He died in Regina, Saskatchewan at the age of 90.
6th Premier of Saskatchewan. A member of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, he served in this position from November 1935 until July 1944. Born in Grenfell, District of Assiniboia, North-West Territories (which later became part of the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan), his father was a construction worker on the Canadian-Pacific Railway and his mother was a Scottish immigrant. At age 15, he left school and found employment at a bank and then the Saskatchewan Department of Telephones. In 1916 he enlisted in the Canadian Army and served as a cavalry officer on the Western Front during World War I. Following the end of the war, he returned to his home and studied law, before relocating to Windthorst, Saskatchewan where he owned and operated an insurance agency. In 1921 he entered politics and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, serving until 1934 during which time he held several cabinet posts. In 1935 he became the Canadian Minister of Agriculture under Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's Liberal government and in November of that year, he was elected Premier of Saskatchewan, replacing James G. Gardiner. During his tenure, he refused to run the provincial government in the red and increased spending by implementing a new sales tax. In July 1944 he was defeated by Tommy Douglas but remained Leader of the Opposition until August 1946, when he resigned his post. In 1951 he became Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan until his retirement in February 1958, becoming the first person to hold both posts as Saskatchewan's premier and lieutenant governor. He died in Regina, Saskatchewan at the age of 90.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Patterson memorials in:
Advertisement
