William John Patterson

Patterson, William John

William John Patterson, premier of Saskatchewan 1935-44 (b at Grenfell, Sask 13 May 1886; d at Regina 10 June 1976). First elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 1921, the popular, though prudent, Patterson became the first Saskatchewan-born premier when he succeeded James GARDINER in 1935. Although he inherited a formidable political machine, Patterson provided uninspiring leadership during the Depression and then WWII. The CO-OPERATIVE COMMONWEALTH FEDERATION, meanwhile, broadened its base of support by playing down government ownership in favour of government planning. In June 1944 the CCF under T.C. DOUGLAS won a decisive victory, reducing the once powerful Liberal Party to 5 seats. Patterson resigned as Liberal leader in 1946 and subsequently served as the province's lieutenant-governor 1951-58. He was the first person in the province's history to hold both posts of premier and lieutenant-governor.