William Egbert
Encyclopedia
William Egbert was a Canadian
physician and politician. He served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
from 1925 to 1931.
Egbert was born in 1857 to a farming family in what is today the province of Ontario
. He attended Ottawa Normal School
, then taught and served as a principal at Ontario schools. After receiving his medical degrees, he began to practice in Milverton, Ontario. In 1904, he moved to Calgary
, and involved himself in politics and community affairs as Alberta
entered Confederation.
Egbert was an unsuccessful legislative candidate for the Liberal Party of Alberta in the 1905 general election. In 1925, the Liberal prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King
, arranged for Egbert's appointment as Lieutenant Governor. Egbert served six years in that post, and participated in a variety of activities, from welcoming the Prince of Wales
to hosting students at the University of Alberta
. In 1931, he left his position as Lieutenant Governor and returned to the practice of medicine. He died in 1936 after a long illness.
, Canada West (now Ontario) to Joseph Morgan and Maria Catherine Egbert (née
Silverthorn). His father owned a farm near Dunnville
.
Egbert attended the Dunnville Public High School, and graduated from Ottawa Normal School
in 1881, with a teaching certificate. He taught at Moote School in Canborough, and served as a principal at the Dunnville Public School. In 1885, he studied medicine at Victoria University
. He received his Bachelor of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
and Master of Surgery
degrees in 1889. He then attended post-graduate education the next year in Edinburgh
and London
.
, doing more post-graduate courses.
After being impressed with the Canadian West
on a trip there, Egbert and his family moved to Calgary, where he established a medical practice in 1904. He registered as a medical practitioner in the North-West Territories in the same year and again in 1906 after the province of Alberta entered Confederation. In addition to his medical practices, he was an active community member, serving as a member of the Calgary Board of Health, Tubercular Hospital Site Committee, Calgary Board of Trade and the Alberta Medical Association
, where he served as president in 1921. He also established the Columbia Hospital, and served as its director.
for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
in the 1909 general election
. In the same year, he was elected to the Calgary City Council
, on which he served two terms (1909–1911). He served as the acting Mayor of Calgary for a month in 1911 in the absence of Mayor John William Mitchell
, and was a candidate for the position in December, but was unsuccessful. He also served as president from 1917 to 1925 of the Alberta Federal Liberal Association.
on October 20, 1925 by Governor General
Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy
on advice of William Lyon Mackenzie King
. He was sworn in on October 29 of the same year, in a simple ceremony in Calgary
, the only swearing-in ceremony of a Lieutenant Governor that has not taken place in the capital city, Edmonton
. During his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, Egbert and his family resided at Government House
, and visited many areas of the province, remarking that Alberta "was one of the greatest places to live."
As Lieutenant Governor, Egbert attended many functions, such as the Annual Convention of the Union of Alberta Municipalities and the welcoming ceremony of the new Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary. He also gave speeches at events, such as the 100th anniversary of Father Albert Lacombe
's birth and a speech at the Alberta Legislature Building as a member of National Committee for the Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation that commemorated the importance and the achievements of the Fathers of Confederation.
Egbert and his family participated in events held to celebrate the 1927 visit of Edward, Prince of Wales
, and George, Duke of Kent to Alberta. The following year, Egbert helped open the Canadian National Railway
station in Edmonton. The same year saw the completion of the all-Canadian telephone service, which had connections between Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver
and Victoria
. Among events held to celebrate this completion, Egbert participated in a telephone conversation with Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Robert Randolph Bruce
from Edmonton to Victoria. Despite a hectic schedule, Egbert took an interest in the University of Alberta
, often entertaining groups of students (among whom he was popular), attending university events and hosting debate sessions. His term as Lieutenant Governor was extended in October of 1930, and he served until his successor, William L. Walsh
was sworn in on May 5, 1931.
in 1908, and went on to become a librarian
at the Calgary Law Society, and the Judges' Library at the Calgary Court House. William was a lawyer and became a judge of the Supreme Court of Alberta. He was also appointed King's Counsel. Their youngest daughter, Alice Leah, died at the age of one.
Egbert enjoyed many sporting activities, namely lacrosse
and football
in his younger years, and golf
in his later years. His wife, Eva was described as "a lover of her home, her books, and a congenial circle of friends."
Egbert died on October 15, 1936 in Calgary, following a long illness. His funeral service on October 17, held at the Park Memorial Chapel in Calgary, was attended by more than 400 people. He is buried in Union Cemetery in Calgary, alongside his wife, who predeceased him by eight months.
As a physician, he was described as "humane, never withholding his services from the poorest and humblest, and his unremitting and unrewarded efforts in behalf of the suffering [would] give him rank in a profession eminently benevolent." Former Premier of Alberta
Alexander Cameron Rutherford
said that "[Egbert] fulfilled his duties as governor splendidly and as a private citizen he took an equally creditable and useful past in Alberta life." Future Lieutenant Governor John J. Bowlen
stated "Dr. Egbert was one of the most popular lieutenant governors this province has ever had. He was kind and considerate to men of all points of view."
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
physician and politician. He served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is the viceregal representative in Alberta of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the nine other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
from 1925 to 1931.
Egbert was born in 1857 to a farming family in what is today the province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. He attended Ottawa Normal School
Ottawa Normal School
The Heritage Building is today part of Ottawa City Hall. It was originally built in 1874 as Ottawa Normal School and served as a teacher's college. The Gothic Revival building stands at Elgin Street and Lisgar and several extensions were added to the rear of the building.It was part of Ontario's...
, then taught and served as a principal at Ontario schools. After receiving his medical degrees, he began to practice in Milverton, Ontario. In 1904, he moved to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, and involved himself in politics and community affairs as Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
entered Confederation.
Egbert was an unsuccessful legislative candidate for the Liberal Party of Alberta in the 1905 general election. In 1925, the Liberal prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
, arranged for Egbert's appointment as Lieutenant Governor. Egbert served six years in that post, and participated in a variety of activities, from welcoming the Prince of Wales
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
to hosting students at the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. In 1931, he left his position as Lieutenant Governor and returned to the practice of medicine. He died in 1936 after a long illness.
Early life and education
William Egbert was born on February 25, 1857 in Welland CountyWelland County, Ontario
Welland County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was formed in 1851 from Lincoln County. The county was named from the Welland River. The river got its name from John Grave Simcoe who named it after a stream in Lincolnshire, England...
, Canada West (now Ontario) to Joseph Morgan and Maria Catherine Egbert (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Silverthorn). His father owned a farm near Dunnville
Dunnville, Ontario
Dunnville is an unincorporated community of 6,000 people located near the mouth of the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada, near the historic Talbot Trail...
.
Egbert attended the Dunnville Public High School, and graduated from Ottawa Normal School
Ottawa Normal School
The Heritage Building is today part of Ottawa City Hall. It was originally built in 1874 as Ottawa Normal School and served as a teacher's college. The Gothic Revival building stands at Elgin Street and Lisgar and several extensions were added to the rear of the building.It was part of Ontario's...
in 1881, with a teaching certificate. He taught at Moote School in Canborough, and served as a principal at the Dunnville Public School. In 1885, he studied medicine at Victoria University
Victoria University, Toronto
Victoria University is a constituent college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1836 and named for Queen Victoria. It is commonly called Victoria College, informally Vic, after the original academic component that now forms its undergraduate division...
. He received his Bachelor of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
and Master of Surgery
Master of Surgery
The Master of Surgery is an advanced qualification in surgery. It is most commonly abbreviated Ch.M. or M.S., as well as M.Ch. and M.Chir. from its Latin name, Magister Chirurgiae or the English form of Master of Surgery....
degrees in 1889. He then attended post-graduate education the next year in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Early career
When returning to Ontario in 1891, Egbert established a medical practice in Milverton. He was described as "one of the best known physicians and surgeons in the Eastern provinces, his surgical training winning fame for him." In the early 1890s, Egbert played a key role in establishing a rural telephone service in his area. He also held many community positions, such as the choir leader at a local Methodist church, and as a member of the local school board. After more than a decade of practice, Egbert spent one year in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, doing more post-graduate courses.
After being impressed with the Canadian West
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
on a trip there, Egbert and his family moved to Calgary, where he established a medical practice in 1904. He registered as a medical practitioner in the North-West Territories in the same year and again in 1906 after the province of Alberta entered Confederation. In addition to his medical practices, he was an active community member, serving as a member of the Calgary Board of Health, Tubercular Hospital Site Committee, Calgary Board of Trade and the Alberta Medical Association
Alberta Medical Association
The Alberta Medical Association is an organization of physicians in the Canadian province of Alberta. It describes itself as an "advocate for its physician members, providing leadership and support for their role in the provision of quality health care"...
, where he served as president in 1921. He also established the Columbia Hospital, and served as its director.
Politics
Egbert was the unsuccessful Liberal candidate for the legislative district of CalgaryCalgary (provincial electoral district)
Calgary was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada that existed from 1905 to 1913 and was recreated from 1921 to 1959. The district returned from one to six members to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta...
for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
in the 1909 general election
Alberta general election, 1909
The Alberta general election was 1909 was the second general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 22 March 1909 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. In the same year, he was elected to the Calgary City Council
Calgary City Council
The Calgary City Council is the legislative governing body that represents the citizens of Calgary. The Council consists of two offices; Office of the Mayor and Office of the Alderman. Naheed Nenshi was elected to the Office of the Mayor in October 2010 as the city's 36th chief executive...
, on which he served two terms (1909–1911). He served as the acting Mayor of Calgary for a month in 1911 in the absence of Mayor John William Mitchell
John William Mitchell
John William Mitchell was the 17th mayor of Calgary, Alberta.Born in Cambridgeshire, England in 1872, Mitchell arrived in Calgary in 1891. He had a job with a dry goods business then later with the lumber firm of W. Stuart and Company.In 1905, Mitchell was elected to Calgary City Council...
, and was a candidate for the position in December, but was unsuccessful. He also served as president from 1917 to 1925 of the Alberta Federal Liberal Association.
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Egbert was appointed the Lieutenant Governor of AlbertaLieutenant Governor of Alberta
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is the viceregal representative in Alberta of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the nine other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
on October 20, 1925 by Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy
Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy
Field Marshal Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy was a British Army officer who served as Governor General of Canada, the 12th since Canadian Confederation....
on advice of William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
. He was sworn in on October 29 of the same year, in a simple ceremony in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, the only swearing-in ceremony of a Lieutenant Governor that has not taken place in the capital city, Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
. During his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, Egbert and his family resided at Government House
Government House (Alberta)
Government House is the former official residence of the lieutenant governors of Alberta, currently retained for ceremonial events and entertaining.The property for the house was purchased by the Province of Alberta in 1910, as well as the surrounding area...
, and visited many areas of the province, remarking that Alberta "was one of the greatest places to live."
As Lieutenant Governor, Egbert attended many functions, such as the Annual Convention of the Union of Alberta Municipalities and the welcoming ceremony of the new Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary. He also gave speeches at events, such as the 100th anniversary of Father Albert Lacombe
Albert Lacombe
Albert Lacombe , commonly known in Alberta simply as Father Lacombe, was a French-Canadian Roman Catholic missionary who lived among and evangelized the Cree and Blackfoot First Nations of western Canada...
's birth and a speech at the Alberta Legislature Building as a member of National Committee for the Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation that commemorated the importance and the achievements of the Fathers of Confederation.
Egbert and his family participated in events held to celebrate the 1927 visit of Edward, Prince of Wales
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
, and George, Duke of Kent to Alberta. The following year, Egbert helped open the Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
station in Edmonton. The same year saw the completion of the all-Canadian telephone service, which had connections between Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
and Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. Among events held to celebrate this completion, Egbert participated in a telephone conversation with Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the viceregal representative in British Columbia of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared with equally the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest...
Robert Randolph Bruce
Robert Randolph Bruce
Robert Randolph Bruce was an engineer, mining proprietor and the 13th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1926 to 1931....
from Edmonton to Victoria. Despite a hectic schedule, Egbert took an interest in the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, often entertaining groups of students (among whom he was popular), attending university events and hosting debate sessions. His term as Lieutenant Governor was extended in October of 1930, and he served until his successor, William L. Walsh
William L. Walsh
William Legh Walsh, KC was a Canadian lawyer and judge. He served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Alberta from 1931 to 1936....
was sworn in on May 5, 1931.
Personal life
Egbert married Eva Catherine Miller on December 27, 1882. The couple had 3 children: Ethel Camilla (born 1884), William Gordon (born 1891), and Alice Leah (born 1895). Ethel graduated from the University of TorontoUniversity 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...
in 1908, and went on to become a librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
at the Calgary Law Society, and the Judges' Library at the Calgary Court House. William was a lawyer and became a judge of the Supreme Court of Alberta. He was also appointed King's Counsel. Their youngest daughter, Alice Leah, died at the age of one.
Egbert enjoyed many sporting activities, namely lacrosse
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
and football
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
in his younger years, and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
in his later years. His wife, Eva was described as "a lover of her home, her books, and a congenial circle of friends."
Later activities, death and legacy
Following the end of his term as Lieutenant Governor, Egbert returned to Calgary to resume his medical practice. He received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1927. In 1935, he became the chairman of the Economic Safety League, an establishment of representatives from various members of boards of trade and chambers of commerce throughout the province.Egbert died on October 15, 1936 in Calgary, following a long illness. His funeral service on October 17, held at the Park Memorial Chapel in Calgary, was attended by more than 400 people. He is buried in Union Cemetery in Calgary, alongside his wife, who predeceased him by eight months.
As a physician, he was described as "humane, never withholding his services from the poorest and humblest, and his unremitting and unrewarded efforts in behalf of the suffering [would] give him rank in a profession eminently benevolent." Former Premier of Alberta
Premier of Alberta
The Premier of Alberta is the first minister for the Canadian province of Alberta. He or she is the province's head of government and de facto chief executive. The current Premier of Alberta is Alison Redford. She became Premier by winning the Progressive Conservative leadership elections on...
Alexander Cameron Rutherford
Alexander Cameron Rutherford
Alexander Cameron Rutherford was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the first Premier of Alberta from 1905 to 1910. Born in Ormond, Ontario, he studied and practised law in Ottawa before moving with his family to the Northwest Territories in 1895...
said that "[Egbert] fulfilled his duties as governor splendidly and as a private citizen he took an equally creditable and useful past in Alberta life." Future Lieutenant Governor John J. Bowlen
John J. Bowlen
John James Bowlen was a Canadian rancher, farmer, provincial politician and the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.-External links:*...
stated "Dr. Egbert was one of the most popular lieutenant governors this province has ever had. He was kind and considerate to men of all points of view."