Colonel Oliver Mowat Biggar
Encyclopedia
Colonel Oliver Mowat Biggar (1876-1948) was born in Toronto, Canada. His father was Charles Robert Webster Biggar, a lawyer and his mother was Jane Helen Mowat (whose grandfather was Sir Oliver Mowat, a former Premier of Ontario).
Biggar attended both Upper Canada College
and the University of Toronto
, graduating from the latter in 1898. He became active in the militia. In 1901 Biggar graduated a gold medalist from Osgoode Hall Law School
and began practicing that profession. By 1903, having moved to Edmonton, Alberta, he was called to the bar there. In 1908 he married Muriel Elizabeth Whitney.
During this period he enlisted with the Edmonton Fusiliers and rose to become Judge Advocate General for Canada with the rank of Colonel. Over the years he built a distinguished career as a trusted and competent public servant.
At the conclusion of The Great War (1914-1919), Sir Robert Borden, Canada's then Prime Minister invited him to attend the Peace Conferences in Paris and Versailles as chief legal adviser and member of the Canadian delegation. Further, Biggar was also asked to serve as British Secretary of the War Guilt Commission and Assistant Secretary of the British Delegation.
Upon his return to Canada, Biggar was named vice chairman of the air board where he organized Canada's Air Department. This was subsequently divided into its civilian (Canadian Air Transport Board) and military (Royal Canadian Air Force
) components.
In 1920, The Canadian House of Commons
unanimously voted him as Canada's first Chief Electoral Officer. In 1927 he resigned and returned to the practice of law with the firm of Smart & Biggar
, in Ottawa.
In 1940, then Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King selected him to be one of his senior advisors and appointed him to the Canada-U.S. Joint Defense Board. This entity was co- chaired by Biggar and Mr. Fiorello La Guardia, the former mayor of New York.
In 1942, Biggar was asked to create a single agency for the purpose of effective wartime censorship out of five separate operations. These became one branch of the National War Services Department that was staffed successfully by volunteers. Biggar was also invited to be a member of the Wartime Information Board.
In 1945, due to ill health Biggar relinquished his duties to General Charles McNaughton.
Biggar died in 1948.
Biggar attended both Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
and the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, graduating from the latter in 1898. He became active in the militia. In 1901 Biggar graduated a gold medalist from Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
and began practicing that profession. By 1903, having moved to Edmonton, Alberta, he was called to the bar there. In 1908 he married Muriel Elizabeth Whitney.
During this period he enlisted with the Edmonton Fusiliers and rose to become Judge Advocate General for Canada with the rank of Colonel. Over the years he built a distinguished career as a trusted and competent public servant.
At the conclusion of The Great War (1914-1919), Sir Robert Borden, Canada's then Prime Minister invited him to attend the Peace Conferences in Paris and Versailles as chief legal adviser and member of the Canadian delegation. Further, Biggar was also asked to serve as British Secretary of the War Guilt Commission and Assistant Secretary of the British Delegation.
Upon his return to Canada, Biggar was named vice chairman of the air board where he organized Canada's Air Department. This was subsequently divided into its civilian (Canadian Air Transport Board) and military (Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
) components.
In 1920, The Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
unanimously voted him as Canada's first Chief Electoral Officer. In 1927 he resigned and returned to the practice of law with the firm of Smart & Biggar
Smart & Biggar
Smart & Biggar is a Canadian law firm specializing exclusively in intellectual property and technology law. The firm has offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. It is related to the patent agency Fetherstonhaugh, and the two firms operate in unison through common partners, offices and...
, in Ottawa.
In 1940, then Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King selected him to be one of his senior advisors and appointed him to the Canada-U.S. Joint Defense Board. This entity was co- chaired by Biggar and Mr. Fiorello La Guardia, the former mayor of New York.
In 1942, Biggar was asked to create a single agency for the purpose of effective wartime censorship out of five separate operations. These became one branch of the National War Services Department that was staffed successfully by volunteers. Biggar was also invited to be a member of the Wartime Information Board.
In 1945, due to ill health Biggar relinquished his duties to General Charles McNaughton.
Biggar died in 1948.