Stanfield, Robert Lorne (1914-2003), was leader of Canada’s Progressive Conservative Party from 1967 to 1976. He failed to lead his party to a parliamentary majority in the general elections of 1968, 1972, and 1974. He was premier of Nova Scotia from 1956 to 1967.
Stanfield was born on April 11, 1914, in Truro, Nova Scotia. He graduated from Dalhousie University in 1936 and Harvard University in 1939. In 1948, he became leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party. Stanfield was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in 1949. His efforts in encouraging new industry in the province and his administrative skills helped him win reelection in 1953, 1956, 1960, and 1967. He won election to the national House of Commons after the Progressive Conservatives made him their leader. Stanfield succeeded former Canadian Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker as party leader. Stanfield died on Dec. 16, 2003.
