Richard Bedford Bennett

He was born in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, Canada. He studied at Dalhousie University, graduating in 1893 with a law degree.

In 1896, he was initiated into Miramichi masonic Lodge #187 in Chatham, New Brunswick.

Richard Bennett spent time as a school teacher, principal, lawyer and businessman before entering local politics. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1911 and became Conservative leader in 1927.

He was elected Prime Minister of Canada in 1930 just when the worst depression of the century was hitting the country. Richard Bennett tried to fight the depression by expanding trade within the British Empire. But his success was limited, and his impersonal style and reputation for wealth had alienated many struggling Canadians.

Following some of the policies of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1935, Bennett changed tactics, introducing his "New Deal" of public spending and federal intervention in the economy, but his Conservative Party was swept from office in that year's election.

Richard Bennett retired to Britain and was made Viscount Bennett. He died on June 26, 1947 at Mickleham, England, and is buried in St. Michael's Churchyard Cemetery, Mickleham[?], Surrey, England. He is the only former Prime Minister not buried in Canada.