Herbert D. Burns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 11 June 1878 |
| Died | 28 March 1960 (aged 81) |
| Spouse |
Marguerite Williams (m. 1903) |
Herbert Deschamps Burns (11 June 1878 – 28 March 1960) was a Canadian banker who served from 1945 to 1949 as president and from 1949 to 1955 as chairman of the Bank of Nova Scotia. Burns joined the bank in Moncton, New Brunswick in 1896 as a junior clerk. Beginning in 1905 he was appointed to a series of managerial roles, before joining the head office in Toronto in 1923 as assistant general manager. Burns became general manager in 1941 and in 1945 was appointed a vice-president. In October 1945, he assumed the presidency. He held the post until 1949, when he became chairman of the board. Burns retired as chairman in 1955.
In 1932, two of Burns's sons founded the investment brokerage Burns Bros. & Company. In 1994 it was acquired by the Bank of Montreal and merged with Nesbitt, Thomson and Company to form BMO Nesbitt Burns, which continues as one of Canada's largest brokerages. Burns died in Toronto on 28 March 1960 at age 81.