James Ramsey (politician)
James Ramsey | |
|---|---|
Leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta | |
| In office February 17, 1920 – April 10, 1920 | |
| Preceded by | George Hoadley |
| Succeeded by | John Robert Boyle |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta | |
| In office 1917–1921 | |
| Constituency | Edmonton East |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 4, 1864 Bahamas |
| Political party | Conservative |
James "Merchant Prince" Ramsey (April 4, 1864 – December 23, 1939) was a provincial politician and business man from Alberta, Canada.
Early life
Ramsey was born in 1864 in
Business career
Ramsey founded and owned a popular department store in
Political career
Ramsey began his political career on the municipal level. He ran for Alderman in the 1914 Edmonton municipal election. He served his two-year term in office before seeking election on the provincial level.
Ramsey was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 1917 Alberta general election. He won the electoral district of Edmonton East. He won the hotly contested election defeating three other candidates included future Edmonton Mayor Joseph Clarke.
Ramsay would become the leader of the Conservative Party after George Hoadley resigned and crossed the floor to the United Farmers of Alberta. Ramsey led the party for a year until 1921 when Albert Ewing took over as leader. He did not run in the 1921 Alberta general election and retired from provincial politics.
Ramsey returned to municipal politics with a bid to become mayor of Edmonton in the 1923 Edmonton municipal election. He was handily defeated by Kenny Blatchford. This was his last bid at politics.
Late life and legacy
Ramsey had two wives and fathered two daughters and a son. The Kelly and Ramsey building in downtown Edmonton is named in his honor. Ramsay died in his Bahamas home in December 1939 at the age of 75.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Lawrence Herzog. "The blocks Kelly and Ramsey built". Edmonton Real Estate Weekly. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
- ^ "James Ramsey Ltd. Advertisement". Edmonton Bulletin. June 7, 1917. p. 12.