Irvin William Akerley

Who was Irvin William Akerley?

Irvin William Akerley, CM was a Nova Scotia businessman and politician.

Born in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, the son of Harry and Margaret MacLeod Akerley, he was a businessman in Dartmouth running his own businesses and working for others. In 1955, he was elected the first mayor of Dartmouth. He resigned to run for a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 1963 election and was elected as a Progressive Conservative representative for the district of Halifax County Dartmouth. He was a Minister in the cabinet of Robert Stanfield, serving in the Minister of Agriculture portfolio and the Minister of Purchasing and Minister of Highways portfolio. He was defeated in the 1967 election and later became Chairman of the Dartmouth General Hospital.

In 1978, Akerley was made a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour, "for the efforts he has devoted to the improvement of life in Nova Scotia, more especially while holding provincial cabinet posts. Also for contributions to the business and community life of Dartmouth during and after his terms as alderman and mayor".

Akerley Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College is named in his honour.

Akerley was married to Margaret McLeod and had two sons: Robert and Donald.