The Honourable Roland Fairburn McWilliams
The Honourable Roland Fairburn McWilliams Archives of Manitoba: McWilliams, Roland F. 1 (N13015)

Term of Office: 1 November 1940 – 1 August 1953
Born: Peterborough, 10 October 1874
Died: Winnipeg, 10 December 1957

  • Educated at University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall.
  • Practiced law in Peterborough 1899-1910.
  • Became Mayor of Peterborough 1906.
  • Arrived in Winnipeg in 1910 and practiced law for several years, founding his own firm.
  • One of his major interests was the YMCA, of which he was vice-president for North America 1923-24, chairman of the Canadian National Council 1922-29, and a director for 25 years.
  • Lectured in constitutional history and law at the Law School of Manitoba and wrote numerous articles on economics and social problems.
  • Took an active part in town planning, serving as chairman of Winnipeg’s Town Planning Institute 1925-29.
  • A temperate man, no liquor was served at Government House during his tenure, including the Royal Visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1951.