W. A. C. Bennett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 25th Premier of British Columbia | |
| In office August 1, 1952 – September 15, 1972 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Lieutenant Governor | Clarence Wallace Frank Mackenzie Ross George Pearkes John Robert Nicholson |
| Preceded by | Byron Ingemar Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Dave Barrett |
| Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for South Okanagan | |
| In office October 21, 1941 – May 17, 1948 | |
| Preceded by | Cecil Robert Bull |
| Succeeded by | Robert Denis Browne-Clayton |
| In office June 15, 1949 – June 5, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Denis Browne-Clayton |
| Succeeded by | Bill Bennett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Andrew Cecil Bennett September 6, 1900 Hastings, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Died | February 23, 1979 (aged 78) Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada |
| Political party | BC Conservative (1937–1951) Social Credit (1951–1978) |
| Spouse |
Annie Elizabeth May Richards
(m. 1927) |
| Children | 3, including Bill |
William Andrew Cecil Bennett PC OC (September 6, 1900 – February 23, 1979) was a Canadian politician who served as the 25th premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972. With just over 20 years in office, Bennett remains the longest-serving premier in British Columbia history. He was a member of the Social Credit Party (Socreds).
Notable achievements by the Bennett government included the adoption of BC's first provincial flag, the establishment of the second Bank of British Columbia, and the creation of BC Hydro and BC Ferries. Bennett led the Socreds to a total of seven consecutive election victories. Though he led the party to defeat in the 1972 election, his son Bill Bennett led it to victory in the 1975 election and served as premier until 1986.