Major James William Coldwell

Background

Coldwell was born on December 2, 1888, in Seaton, United Kingdom.

Education

Coldwell attended Exeter University.

Career

Coldwell entered politics in 1925 as a Progressive. He was the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (C. C. F. ) candidate for premier of Saskatchewan in 1934 but was defeated. The next year he began a 23-year period in the House of Commons. He became C. C. F. party leader in Parliament in 1940 and in 1942 the party's national leader, a position he held after his defeat in the 1958 election, until 1960, when he was chosen honorary national leader. In 1964 he became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Coldwell was a delegate to the San Francisco Conference of the United Nations in 1945 and a delegate to the General Assembly several times. He wrote Left Turn, Canada (1945). Coldwell died in Ottawa, Canada, on August 25, 1974.

Achievements

• He became known nationally as a leader of teacher's associations from 1924 until 1934. He was elected to the city council in Regina and developed links with labour and farmers organizations. When the Saskatchewan Farmer-Labour Party was formed in 1932, Coldwell was chosen to be its first leader. The party affiliated became the Saskatchewan CCF and fought the 1934 provincial election under Coldwell's leadership winning five seats in the provincial legislature.

Membership

He became a member of the Privy Council in 1964. In 1964 he became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Coldwell was elected to the House of Commons as Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Rosetown-Biggar.

Connections

He met Norah Gertrude Dunsford in 1907, and in December 1909, they became engaged. They were married at the Wembdon Church in Bridgwater, Somerset on July 22. They have two children.

Spouse:

Nora Gertrude Dunsford Coldwell