Memorable Manitobans: Samuel Pritchard Matheson (1852-1942)

Cleric.

Born at Kildonan, Manitoba on 20 September 1852, son of John Matheson and Catherine Pritchard (daughter of John Pritchard), he was educated at St. John’s School, St. John’s College, Winnipeg. He was ordained Deacon in 1875, and Priest in 1876. Other positions held included Master of St. John’s College, Professor of Exegetical Theology at St. John’s College, Canon of St., John’s Cathedral (1882), Dean of Rupert’s Land (1892), Deputy Warden of St. John’s College; Warden and Chancellor of St. John’s College; Deputy Head Master, St. John’s School; Secretary of the Provincial Synod of Rupert’s Land, 1883-1902. Prolocutor, 1902-03; Prolocutor, General Synod of Canada, 1902. He was elected Primate of All Canada in 1909, holding that position of eminence until his resignation in 1930.

He was married twice, to Seraphina Marie Fortin in 1879 (deceased) and to teacher Alice E. Talbot in 1906. He had two sons and five daughters. One of his daughters was married to H. W. Trenholme. He was a founding member of the Manitoba Historical Society. He served as chancellor of the University of Manitoba and Grand Master of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Manitoba, as well as chairman of the Provincial Advisory Board of Education. He founded Havergal Ladies’ College in Winnipeg and was its first president. In 1927, he was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Manitoba.

He died at his Winnipeg home, 91 Kingsway Avenue, on 19 May 1942, in his ninetieth year. There are extensive papers at the Archives of Manitoba, some of which belong to the Diocese of Rupertsland.

His articles for the Manitoba Historical Society:

Floods at Red River: Some Tales of the Great Inundations of 1826, 1852, 1861
MHS Transactions, Series 3, 1946-47 Season

Sources:

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, edited by C. W. Parker, Vancouver: Canadian Press Association, 1911.

“Archbishop Matheson dies at age of 89”, Winnipeg Free Press, 19 May 1942, page 1.

The Story of Manitoba by F. H. Schofield, Winnipeg: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913.

The Leading Financial, Business & Professional Men of Winnipeg, published by Edwin McCormick, Photographs by T. J. Leatherdale, Compiled and printed by Stone Limited, c1913. [copy available at the Archives of Manitoba]

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by J. M. Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 23 November 2011

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