Leonard Percy de Wolfe Tilley | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Leonard Percy de Wolfe Tilley

Leonard Percy de Wolfe Tilley, lawyer, Conservative premier of NB (b at Ottawa 21 May 1870; d at Saint John 28 Dec 1947).

Tilley, Leonard Percy de Wolfe

Leonard Percy de Wolfe Tilley, lawyer, Conservative premier of NB (b at Ottawa 21 May 1870; d at Saint John 28 Dec 1947). Tilley, son of Sir Samuel Leonard TILLEY, began his career as a lawyer in Saint John and served as an MLA for 9 years before being appointed minister without portfolio in 1925 and president of the Executive Council under J.B.M. BAXTER. In 1931 he was appointed minister of lands and mines and 2 years later became premier. His government was defeated in 1935 and he was appointed exchequer court judge and judge of the county court, a position he held for 10 years. Unlike his esteemed father, Tilley is remembered for little more than holding office during the Depression and leading his party to defeat in 1935.