William Howard Hearst | |
|---|---|
 The Hon. Sir William Hearst | |
| 7th Premier of Ontario | |
| In office October 2, 1914 – November 14, 1919 | |
| Monarch | George V |
| Lieutenant Governor | John Strathearn Hendrie |
| Preceded by | James Whitney |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Charles Drury |
| MPP for Sault Ste. Marie | |
| In office June 8, 1908 – September 23, 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Napier Smith |
| Succeeded by | James Cunningham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 15, 1864 Arran Township, Canada West |
| Died | September 29, 1941 (aged 77) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto |
| Political party | Ontario PC Party |
| Spouse | Isabella Jane Duncan |
Sir William Howard Hearst, KCMG (February 15, 1864 – September 29, 1941) was the seventh premier of Ontario from 1914 to 1919.
Hearst was born in Bruce County, Canada West. He practiced law in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario before being voted to provincial parliament as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. After six years representing Sault Ste. Marie in provincial government, Hearst became Premier of Ontario following the death of Premier James P. Whitney in 1914.
Hearst's was the first Conservative provincial government to enact women's suffrage. He was in favour of the prohibition movement, and restricted the unlicensed sale of alcohol in Ontario. As a wartime administration, his government improved munitions production and hydroelectric infrastructure.