William Joseph Parnell MacMillan | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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William Joseph Parnell MacMillan

William Joseph Parnell MacMillan, physician, premier of Prince Edward Island 1933-35, lieutenant-governor (b at Clermont, PEI 24 Mar 1881; d at Charlottetown 7 Dec 1957). After a brilliant career as a scholar and physician, MacMillan entered politics in 1923.

MacMillan, William Joseph Parnell

William Joseph Parnell MacMillan, physician, premier of Prince Edward Island 1933-35, lieutenant-governor (b at Clermont, PEI 24 Mar 1881; d at Charlottetown 7 Dec 1957). After a brilliant career as a scholar and physician, MacMillan entered politics in 1923. Ten years later he became premier during the Island's worst economic depression. The dynamic premier implemented many relief programs and greatly increased government expenditures to relieve the needy Islanders. Nevertheless, MacMillan and the Conservative Party were swept from office when the Liberal Party captured all 30 seats in the 1935 election. In 1957 MacMillan was appointed lieutenant-governor only days before his death.