Robert Franklin Sutherland

Who was Robert Franklin Sutherland?

Robert Franklin Sutherland, PC was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1905 to 1909, noted for his fine speaking ability and strong temperament.

Sutherland was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Essex North in the 1900 election. He was re-elected in the 1904 and 1908 elections.

He was born in Newmarket in Canada West in 1859. After studies at the University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario, Sutherland began his career as a lawyer in Windsor, Ontario. He was a member of the city council, and first ran for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons in 1900 and was elected. During the campaign in a riding with a large francophone and Catholic population, he was accused of having been a member of the anti-Catholic Protestant Protective Association. While he admitted having attended a meeting out of curiosity, he insisted that he refused to join the group upon learning of its anti-Catholic views. Once elected, he concentrated on constituency issues and obtaining grants for his riding.