William Aberhart
William Aberhart was a significant figure in Canadian history, born on December 30, 1878, in Perth County, Ontario. Initially a teacher and preacher, he had a diverse early career that included roles as a principal and a radio broadcaster known as "Bible Bill." After moving to Calgary in 1910, he became a prominent religious leader, founding the Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute and a sect called the Bible Institute Baptist Church. Aberhart's political career began in the wake of the Great Depression when he was inspired by the Social Credit doctrine, proposing financial reforms to support citizens.
In 1935, he founded the Social Credit Party of Alberta, which experienced a remarkable victory in the provincial election, securing fifty-six of sixty-three seats, leading to his appointment as premier. Aberhart, who served as minister of education and later as attorney general, remained in office until his death in 1943. His tenure was marked by ambitious promises, though he faced challenges in fulfilling them. Aberhart's legacy is intertwined with the Social Credit movement and his influence on Alberta's political landscape during a tumultuous era.
Subject Terms
William Aberhart
Politician
- Born: December 30, 1878
- Birthplace: Hibbert Township, Ontario
- Died: May 23, 1943
- Place of death: Vancouver, British Columbia
Contribution: Canadian politician William Aberhart was the leader of the Social Credit Party of Canada and premier of Alberta from 1935 until his death in 1943. He was also a teacher, principal, Baptist preacher, and radio broadcaster known as Bible Bill.
Early Life and Education
William Aberhart was born on December 30, 1878, in Hibbert Township, Perth County, Ontario, to William Aberhart Sr. and Louisa Pepper. He graduated from Seaforth Collegiate Institute in 1898 and earned a commercial specialist certificate from Chatham Business College in 1897. He studied to be a teacher at the Mitchell Model School and the Ontario Normal School and received his bachelor of arts degree in 1911 from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Early Career
Before entering politics, Aberhart worked as a teacher, preacher, and principal. His career in education began as a public school teacher in 1899, and in 1905, he became a principal. He also taught Bible classes and was a preacher. He enrolled in the extramural program at Queen’s University in 1907 while he was still working as a principal.
Aberhart and his family moved to Calgary, Alberta, in 1910, and he completed his bachelor’s degree while living there. Between 1910 and 1915, he continued as principal, preacher, and teacher of Bible study classes.
In 1918, Aberhart founded the Calgary Prophetic Bible Conference to train ministers and missionaries, and, in 1925, Aberhart began a Sunday afternoon radio broadcast, called Back to the Bible Hour. His weekly show was heard in several Canadian provinces and in the northern United States, and he became widely known as Bible Bill. In 1927, he founded the Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute and was its dean. In 1929, he started his own sect called the Bible Institute Baptist Church.
Political Career
Aberhart became involved in politics after the Great Depression. Inspired by the Social Credit doctrine of Major C. H. Douglas, a British engineer, Aberhart proposed that each citizen should be granted a $25 monthly credit to assist with basic necessities. He started the Alberta Social Credit League to promote this doctrine and founded his own political party, the Social Credit Party of Alberta, in 1935.
The Social Credit Party won fifty-six of sixty-three seats in that year’s election. Aberhart was appointed premier of Alberta by Lieutenant Governor William L. Walsh and was also made minister of education. In 1937, he assumed the role of attorney general. Although Aberhart could not fulfill his preelection promises, his party was reelected in 1940 and he remained in office until his death in 1943.
Personal Life
William Aberhart and his wife had two daughters. He died on May 23, 1943, in Vancouver, British Columbia, while still in office.
Bibliography
Elliott, David R. “William Aberhart.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation, 2012. Web. 21 Aug. 2013.
“The Honourable William Aberhart, 1935–1943.” Alberta Online Encyclopedia. Heritage Community Foundation, n.d. 21 Aug. 2013.
“The Honourable William Aberhart, 1935–43.” Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Legislative Assembly of Alberta, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2013.
“William Aberhart Family History.” Alberta Family Histories Society. Alberta Family Histories Society, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2013.
“William ‘Bible Bill’ Aberhart, Social Credit Pioneer.” CBC Digital Archives. CBC, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2013.