James Harper Prowse
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The Honourable James Harper Prowse Jr. |
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|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta | |
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In office February 5, 1945 – August 17, 1948 |
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| Constituency | Army |
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In office August 17, 1948 – June 18, 1959 Serving with Clayton Adams, Lou Heard, Elmer Roper, Ernest Manning, Harold Tanner, Edgar Gerhart, Joseph Ross and Abe Miller |
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| Preceded by | Norman James, John Page and William J. Williams |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Edmonton |
| Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party | |
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In office June 26, 1947 – 1958 |
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| Preceded by | Wesley Stambaugh |
| Succeeded by | Grant MacEwan |
| Canadian Senator | |
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In office February 24, 1966 – September 27, 1976 |
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| Constituency | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 3, 1913 Taber, Alberta |
| Died | September 27, 1976 (aged 62) |
| Political party |
Alberta Liberal federal Liberal |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent |
| Occupation | politician, lawyer and service man |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/branch | Royal Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
James Harper Prowse Jr. (November 3, 1913 – September 27, 1976), was a serviceman, provincial and federal politician, barrister and solicitor from Canada. Prowse served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1945 to 1959 sitting as an independent and a Liberal in opposition. He led the Alberta Liberal Party from 1948 to 1958 and later served as a senator for Alberta from 1966 until his death in 1976.
James Harper Prowse Jr. was born in Taber, Alberta, on November 3, 1913. He took his post secondary education at the University of Alberta.
Prowse enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1940. He served five years overseas during the Second World War, obtaining the rank of captain. Prowse served most of the war in the Italian Campaign. He was wounded twice during combat. His army career ended after he was elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1945 Service vote.
Prowse was introduced to politics at a young age when his father, James Harper Prowse Sr., ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1926 Alberta general election in the electoral district of Taber.
Prowse ran for a seat to the legislature for the first time in the 1945 serviceman vote that was the last stage of the general election held that year. Prowse ran as a candidate in the army vote. He won the polls with 17% of the popular vote over 21 other candidates on February 5, 1945. The vote was non-partisan so Prowse sat as an independent in the legislature.
After winning election and returning to Edmonton Prowse became a journalist for the Edmonton Bulletin. Prowse crossed the floor to the Liberals after announcing his intention to run for leadership of the party on April 10, 1947. He defended his decision by saying, "The political situation has reached a point where there is no longer any advantage to be gained by remaining neutral."
Prowse was elected as leader of the party at the Liberals' annual convention on June 26, 1947. He won the required majority on the first ballot. The convention was well attended with 476 delegates from around the province voting. He defeated two other candidates, Jonathan Wheatly and Joseph Tremblay.
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