R. B. Bennett

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bennett was born on July 3, 1870, when his mother Henrietta Stiles was visiting her parents' home in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick. He was the eldest of six children and grew up at the Bay of Fundy home of his father, Henry John Bennett, in Hopewell Cape. His great-great-grandfather, Zadock Bennett, migrated from New London, Connecticut, to Nova Scotia around 1760 as a New England Planter. Bennett's early life inculcated a lifelong habit of thrift, driven by his Wesleyan Methodist mother. He trained as a teacher at the normal school in Fredericton, taught for several years at Irishtown, and at age 18 became principal of a school in Douglastown, New Brunswick. He enrolled at Dalhousie University in 1890, graduating in 1893 with a law degree and very high standing, working his way through as an assistant in the library. In 1897, he moved to Calgary and became law partner of James Lougheed, Calgary's richest man. By 1905, he was buying and selling land successfully, invested in Calgary Petroleum Products Company, and worked with Max Aitken to produce Alberta Pacific Grain Company, Canada Cement, and Calgary Power. Bennett was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories in 1898, representing West Calgary, and was re-elected in 1902 as an independent. He gained the nickname 'Bonfire Bennett' for his extemporaneous speaking manner. In 1905, he became the first leader of the Alberta Conservative Party, though he lost in a landslide in that year's election. He won a seat in the provincial legislature in 1909. Before he was 40, Bennett was a multi-millionaire living in the Palliser Hotel. He gained full control of the E. B. Eddy Company by 1926, becoming one of the richest Canadians at that time.

Reader's Guide

Bennett's significance lies in his leadership during the Great Depression, which defined his premiership. After the Conservatives won a majority in the 1930 election over William Lyon Mackenzie King's Liberals, Bennett's government initially tried laissez-faire policies, but these were largely ineffective. He was also unsuccessful in establishing an imperial preference free trade agreement. Over time, his government became increasingly interventionist, attempting to replicate Franklin Roosevelt's 'New Deal' in the United States. This about-face prompted a split within Conservative ranks and was regarded by the public as evidence of incompetence. Still, his government left lasting legacies with the creation of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC) and the Bank of Canada. Bennett suffered a landslide defeat in the 1935 election, with King returning to power. He remained leader of the Conservative Party until 1938, when he retired to England. He was created Viscount Bennett, the only Canadian prime minister to be honoured with elevation to the peerage. Historians rank Bennett as a below-average prime minister. In his early federal career, Bennett was elected to the House of Commons in 1911 as a Conservative. At age 44, he tried to enlist in World War I but was turned down as medically unfit, perhaps because he had lost two toes. In July 1915, he became Borden's assistant to London, and in 1916, he was appointed director general of the National Service Board.

Did You Know?

• Bennett gained the nickname 'Bonfire Bennett' due to his extemporaneous, quick, and persuasive speaking manner.
• He was elected to the Chatham Town Council by 19 votes out of 691 cast, with Max Aitken managing his campaign.
• At age 44, Bennett tried to enlist in World War I but was turned down as medically unfit, possibly because he had lost two toes.
• Bennett was a teetotaler, though he was known to occasionally drink alcohol when the press was not around.
• He helped put many poor, struggling young men through university.