William James Shaughnessy (1883-1938)

He was born at Montreal and educated at Bishop's College School, Lennoxville; and, Trinity College, Cambridge. He returned to Montreal and completed his studies at McGill University and Laval University before entering the law firm of Meredith, Macpherson, Hague & Holden of which he became a partner in 1912. He served in the First World War as a Captain with the Irish Canadian Rangers and was A.D.C. to General Sir Arthur Currie. In 1920, he was created a K.C. and promoted to Lt.-Colonel of the 199th Canadian Battalion. He lived at the J.K.L. Ross Mansion opposite James Ross House. Aside from his legal career, he was President of the Canadian Industrial Alcohol Company Ltd.; President of Sir Mortimer Davis Inc. (tobacco); Chairman of the Canadian Board of the Yorkshire Insurance Company; and, among others a director of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canadian Bank of Commerce, and the West Kootenay Power & Light Company. In 1911, at Montreal, he married Marion Laura Graham (d.1936), niece of Hugh Graham (1848-1948), 1st Baron Atholstan. They were the parents of three daughters and a son, William, who succeeded him as the 3rd Baron Shaughnessy.