William Donald Ross
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William Donald Ross (June 20, 1869 - 1947), was a financier, banker and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Born in 1869 in Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia, William Donald Ross went to work for the Bank of Nova Scotia emptying wastebaskets at the age of 14. The family farm had failed and Ross left school in order to help make ends meet. He rose through the ranks and ultimately became one of the bank's directors. He later served as general manager of the Metropolitan Bank of Toronto and moved to Toronto with his wife and children. In his new city, Ross helped find the funds to found Branksome Hall, a new private school for girls, operated by his cousin.
A supporter of and fundraiser for the Liberal Party of Canada, Ross was appointed Lieutenant Governor on Ontario by William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1926. He asked to be relieved from office in 1931 due to the onset of the Great Depression as his income from private investments declined and he was no longer sufficient to supplement the $10,000 annual salary he received in his vice-regal role.
| Preceded by: Henry Cockshutt |
List of Lieutenant Governors of Ontario | Succeeded by: Sir William Mulock |
