Arthur Samuel Kendall

Who was Arthur Samuel Kendall?

Arthur Samuel Kendall was a physician and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Cape Breton in the Canadian House of Commons from 1900 to 1904 as a Liberal member.

He was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the son of the Reverend S.F. Kendall. Kendall was educated at Mount Allison College, Halifax Medical College, Bellevue Hospital Medical School in New York City and Guy's Hospital Medical School in London. He became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1884 and was Medical Health Officer for Cape Breton. Kendall served as a town councillor for Sydney in 1888. Kendall ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Commons in 1896. He represented Cape Breton County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1897 to 1900 and from 1904 to 1911.

A social reformer, he was concerned about poverty and the impact of industrialization on Cape Breton Island. He supported improving workers' living conditions, old-age pensions, a shorter work week and a workmen's compensation act. He was nicknamed the "miner's friend" because of his support for coal mine workers.

His brother, Henry Ernest Kendall, served as Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia in the 1940s.