Fonds F609 - Colin A. Campbell fonds

Colin Alexander Campbell was born at Sheddon, Ontario, on January 17, 1901. After attending Queen's University he became a mining engineer and worked in, and managed, a number of mines from 1921 to 1934. From 1934 to 1937 and, later, from 1946 to about 1970 he was engaged in consulting practice. In 1939 Campbell enlisted as Second Lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Engineers, attaining the final rank of Brigadier-General in 1968. His wartime service brought him four awards - Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1943, Mentioned in Despatches (M.I.D.) in 1944, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1945, and the Legion of Merit, U.S.A. in 1945.

Brigadier-General Campbell was also active politically and in 1934 was elected to the House of Commons for the riding of Frontenac-Addington where he served until 1937 when he resigned his seat in the House of Commons to contest the riding of Addington in the Ontario general election. He was defeated but later in the year was elected by acclamation in the Sault Ste. Marie by-election. He was then appointed Minister of Public Works, a position he held until 1941. He was defeated in the riding of Sault Ste. Marie in 1943. Following the war, Brigadeer Campbell remained active in Liberal Party work, concentrating on fund-raising for both the federal and provincial Liberal Perties. He died in 1978.