William Stevens Fielding

1848 - 1929male

Biography

William Stevens Fielding was a Nova Scotia politician who served as Premier of Nova Scotia (1884-1896) and later as federal Minister of Finance under Wilfrid Laurier (1896-1911) and Mackenzie King (1921-1925). During the 1917 conscription crisis, he supported Robert Borden's Union Government, breaking with the main Liberal party. He was one of the most senior Liberals to join the Unionist cause and served as a bridge between the two parties during World War I.

Career Timeline

Floor Crossings (1)

William Stevens Fielding

1917War & Conscription

Liberal→Liberal-Unionist2/5 - Modest benefitGot CabinetRe-elected

During World War I, the government wanted to force men to fight overseas (conscription). Fielding, a senior Liberal, supported conscription even though his party leader Wilfrid Laurier was against it.

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Field	William Stevens Fielding
Born	1848
Died	1929
Crossings	1
Years	1917
Parties	Liberal, Liberal-Unionist
Avg Benefit Score	2.0
Cabinet	No
Senate	No
Re-elected	Yes

Quick Stats

Floor Crossings: 1
Parties: Liberal, Liberal-Unionist
Cabinet Appointments: 0
Senate Appointments: 0
Election Results: 0

Parties

LiberalLiberal-Unionist