William Ross (Canadian politician)

William Ross (December 20, 1824 – March 17, 1912) was a Canadian politician.[2]

The Hon. William Ross
Senator for Victoria, Nova Scotia
In office May 18, 1905 – March 17, 1912
Appointed by	Wilfrid Laurier
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Victoria, Nova Scotia
In office 1867–1874
Succeeded by	Charles James Campbell
In office 1900–1904
Preceded by	John Lemuel Bethune
Succeeded by	Electoral district was abolished in 1903
Personal details
Born	(1824-12-20)December 20, 1824 Boularderie, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died	March 17, 1912(1912-03-17) (aged 87) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada[1]
Political party	Anti-Confederate (1867-1869) Liberal
Spouse(s)	Eliza Moore
Residence(s)	Halifax, Nova Scotia[1]
Cabinet	Minister of Militia and Defence (1873-1874)

Born on Boularderie Island, Nova Scotia, the son of John Ross, a Scottish immigrant,[3] and Robina McKenzie,[1] Ross was a merchant and shipbuilder.[2] In 1855, he married Eliza Moore. He represented Victoria County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1857 to 1867.[3] He was elected to the 1st Canadian Parliament in 1867. From 1873 to 1874, he was the Minister of Militia and Defence.[2] Ross resigned his seat in the House of Commons in 1874 after he was named customs collector for Halifax[4] and served until 1888.[1]

Ross also served as a Lieutenant-colonel in the Cape Breton Militia.[1]

In 1905, he was summoned to the Senate of Canada representing the senatorial division of Victoria, Nova Scotia. A Liberal, he served until his death in 1912.