William Moffat (Alberta politician)

William Moffat (January 20, 1847 – September 5, 1926) was a Canadian politician from Alberta.

William Moffat
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office 1909–1917
Preceded by	Malcolm McKenzie
Succeeded by	Louise McKinney
Constituency	Claresholm
Personal details
Born	(1847-01-10)January 10, 1847 Carleton Place, Ontario
Died	September 5, 1926(1926-09-05) (aged 79)
Political party	Alberta Liberal Party
Spouse	Flora McLean
Children	7
Occupation	Women's rights activist and politician

Early life

William Moffat was born January 20, 1847, in Carleton Place, Ontario to Robert Moffatt and Mary Ann Saunders.^[1] He was educated at Carleton Place and married Flora McLean on February 5, 1873, and together had seven children.^[1]

Political life

Moffat was the Town of Claresholm's first resident and Mayor.^[2] He was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1913 general election to the Claresholm under the banner of the Alberta Liberal Party. He defeated Conservative candidate D.S. McMillan and Independent candidate G. Malshow.^[3] In the 1917 general election he was defeated by Louise McKinney,^[4] who thus became the first woman elected to a Legislature in the British Empire.

Later life

Moffat died on September 5, 1926.