Memorable Manitobans: Wilfrid Lawrence “Biff” MacTavish (1891-1951)

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Wilfrid Lawrence MacTavish
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Journalist.

Born at St. George, Ontario on 31 October 1891, son of Rev. William Sharpe MacTavish and Margaret MacKay, he was educated at Deseronto and Kingston then began newspaper work with the Kingston News and Times. During a length career in journalism, he served as editor of the Regina Province and the Saskatoon Star. He was editor of the Winnipeg Tribune from 1923 to 1938. During his residence in Winnipeg, he served as President of the Winnipeg Press Club (1925), Canadian Club, and Empire Club. He was made Honorary President of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association. Poor health forced his retirement as editor of the Vancouver Daily Province in 1948. He died at Vancouver on 18 March 1951.

Sources:

Death registration [Wilfrid Lawrence MacTavish], British Columbia Vital Statistics.

“W. MacTavish dies; ex-Tribune editor,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 March 1951. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B10]

“Former Winnipeg editor, W. L. MacTavish, 60, dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 March 1951, page 14.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 25 November 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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