Neil McLeod

Who was Neil McLeod?

Neil McLeod was a Prince Edward Island lawyer, judge and politician, the fifth Premier. He was born at Uigg on the island to Roderick McLeod and Flora McDonald, Scottish immigrants. He was educated in Uigg and in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, articled in law at Charlottetown and was called to the bar in 1873. McLeod entered politics in 1879 winning a seat in the provincial legislature as a Conservative. He was re-elected in 1882 and became secretary-treasurer and then minister without portfolio in the government of William Wilfred Sullivan. In 1889, Sullivan resigned to become Chief Justice of the province's Supreme Court and McLeod became party leader and Premier. His government was defeated after a series of by-election losses led to it losing a Motion of No Confidence in 1891. McLeod retired from politics and was appointed a county court judge in 1893. He died at Summerside.