The Story of Alexander Rutherford 1857-1941

Alexander Cameron Rutherford was born on February 2, 1857, on a farm in Carleton County, Canada West (Ontario). He was the son of James Rutherford and Elizabeth Cameron. He was educated in Ontario and in 1881; he graduated from McGill University in Montreal, receiving Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees.

In 1895, Rutherford and his family moved to present-day Edmonton, where he wanted to start a business as a lawyer. He became involved in the community and he was interested in politics, too. In 1902 he was first elected to public office, and by September 2, 1905, the day after the Province of Alberta was created, he became the first Premier.

His Government did many important things. They established the laws needed to make Alberta a province provincial status, started a public telephone system, expanded roads and railways within the Province, constructed a number of public buildings, and established the University of Alberta.

He did not stay in politics long, stepping down from office in 1910. From 1927 until his death in 1941, he was Chancellor of the University of Alberta.

Alexander C. Rutherford was actively involved in many religious, fraternal, and community organizations. His service to his community and the Province of Alberta has been recognized in many ways. In 1911, an elementary school in Edmonton was named after him; in 1951, a University of Alberta library was named in his memory; and in 1954, a mountain which is located in Jasper National Park was named after him.

Alexander C. Rutherford died on June 11, 1941, at Edmonton, Alberta. In 1973, his restored home on the grounds of the University of Alberta—Rutherford House, was opened to the public as a way to honour Alberta’s first Premier. Each year, high school students receive awards of money for excellent grades, called the Rutherford Scholarships.

Sources image and text: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/library/premiers/rutherfo.htm