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Rutherford, Alexander Cameron
Alexander Cameron Rutherford, lawyer, politician, premier of Alberta 1905-10 (b near Osgoode, Carleton County, Canada W 2 Feb 1857; d at Edmonton 11 June 1941). Educated in Ontario's public schools, at Woodstock College and McGill University (BA, BCL 1881), he articled at Ottawa and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1885. He practised at Kemptville (near Ottawa) until 1895 when he moved to S Edmonton, District of Alberta.
In 1905 he became the first premier, treasurer and minister of education of the newly created province of Alberta. His administration promoted public education, a public telephone system and railway expansion.
Though leader of a powerful Liberal majority in the legislature, he was forced to resign in 1910 over allegations of incompetence and personal interest in his government's agreement to insure the bonds of the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway.
Although found innocent of personal interest, a disillusioned Rutherford became increasingly identified with the Conservative Party. Following his defeat in the 1913 provincial election he returned to his Edmonton law practice. He served as chancellor of U of A 1927-41. His fine library of Canadiana now belongs to the university's Rutherford Library.
