William Robson (Canadian politician)

William Robson (October 3, 1864 – c. July 1941) was a Manitoba politician and the leader of the province's Independent-Farmers party in 1921 and 1922.[1][2]

William Robson
Robson in 1922
MLA for Glenwood
In office
1920–1922
Preceded byJames Breakey
Succeeded byJames Breakey
Personal details
Born(1864-10-03)October 3, 1864
Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England
Diedc. 1941 (aged 76)
Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
Cause of deathCar accident

Life

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Born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, Robson arrived in Canada with his parents at the age of two. He worked as a farmer and was a shareholder in the Grain Grower's Guide, a popular farmer's newspaper in Canada. Robson also served as both a councillor and reeve during the 1910s.

In 1920, Robson was one of 12 "farmer's candidates" elected to the Manitoba legislature. He defeated future Liberal leader James Breakey in Glenwood by four votes. Robson was subsequently chosen as the leader of the Independent-Farmers, the name adopted by the victorious candidates for their parliamentary caucus.

The Independent-Farmers were a diverse group and did not continue beyond the dissolution of the legislature in 1922. Afterward, the United Farmers of Manitoba (UFM) represented the province's farming community in a more organized manner.

Robson did not run for re-election in 1922 and did not serve in the government of UFM Premier John Bracken.

References

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  1. ^ "Funeral of Wm. Robson is largely attended at Bethel Saturday". The Hartney Star. August 7, 1941. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Memorable Manitobans: William Robson (1864-1941)". Retrieved 21 December 2014.