Mowat, Sir Oliver (1820-1903), a Canadian statesman, served as prime minister and attorney general of Ontario from 1872 to 1896. During his administration, Mowat introduced the ballot in municipal and provincial elections and extended the voting franchise. He fought to obtain more political rights for the provinces.
Mowat was also one of Canada’s Fathers of Confederation. These individuals were planners of the union of British colonies that formed the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Mowat was knighted in 1892. He was lieutenant governor of Ontario from 1897 until his death. He was born in what is now Kingston, Ont.
