Like his immediate predecessor as Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, The
Honourable Dr. William Egbert was a medical doctor. He was a leader in his
profession and was active in Alberta municipal and provincial politics.
Dr. William Egbert was born on February 25, 1857, in Welland County,
Canada West (Ontario). He was the son of Joseph Morgan Egbert and Maria
Silverthorne.
Dr. William Egbert attended Dunnville Public and High Schools and received
his Bachelor of Medicine degree from the University of Toronto in 1889 and his
Doctor of Medicine and Master in Surgery degrees from Victoria University,
Toronto. As well, he completed postgraduate courses in London, England, and
New York City.
On December 27, 1884, Dr. William Egbert married Eva C. Millar, daughter
of Daniel Millar of Haldimand County, Ontario. They had two children: Ethel C.
and William Gordon. His son became a judge of the Supreme Court of Alberta.
Dr. William Egbert taught briefly at Dunnville, Ontario, and was Principal of
the Dunnville Public School prior to entering medical school at the University of
Toronto. Following the completion of his medical training, he established a practice
at Milverton, Ontario. In 1904, he moved to Calgary to practice medicine.
At the provincial election of March 22, 1909, Dr. William Egbert was an
unsuccessful Liberal candidate for Calgary. However, that same year, he was
elected to the Calgary City Council for a two year term. Dr. William Egbert was a
candidate for Mayor of Calgary in 1911, but was defeated.
He was a member of the United Church of Canada and his fraternal
associations were the Order of Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent
Order of Oddfellows. He served as President of the Alberta Provincial Federal
Association from 1917-25, was President of the Calgary Board of Trade in 1918,
was President of the Alberta Provincial Medical Association in 1921, and was
President of the Alberta Liberal Association in 1924. He was also a member of the
Edmonton Board of Health, served as Paymaster of the 103rd Regiment, Calgary,
and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta
(1917).
![The Hon. William Egbert]()
On the advice of Prime Minister William Lyon
Mackenzie King, Dr. William Egbert was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta effective October 29, 1925.
This appointment was made by Lord Byng, Governor General of Canada. Dr.
William Egbert served as Lieutenant-Governor until his successor was
appointed effective May 5,1931.
In 1935, Dr. William Egbert became Chairman of the non-party Economic
Safety League which was organized to oppose Social Credit.
He died on October 15, 1936, at Calgary, Alberta, and was buried in the
Union Cemetery in that city.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
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