Walter Lea

Walter Maxfield Lea (February 10, 1874 – January 10, 1936) was a Prince Edward Island politician.

Walter Lea
17th Premier of Prince Edward Island
In office May 20, 1930 – August 29, 1931
Monarch	George V
Lieutenant Governor	Frank Richard Heartz Charles Dalton
Preceded by	Albert C. Saunders
Succeeded by	James D. Stewart
In office August 15, 1935 – January 10, 1936
Monarch	George V
Lieutenant Governor	George DesBrisay DeBlois
Preceded by	William J. P. MacMillan
Succeeded by	Thane A. Campbell
Leader of the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
In office May 20, 1930 – January 10, 1936
Preceded by	Albert C. Saunders
Succeeded by	Thane Campbell
MLA (Councillor) for 4th Prince
In office September 16, 1915 – July 26, 1923
Preceded by	Michael C. Delaney
Succeeded by	John H. Myers
In office June 25, 1927 – January 10, 1936
Preceded by	John H. Myers
Succeeded by	Horace Wright
Personal details
Born	(1874-02-10)February 10, 1874 Tryon, Prince Edward Island
Died	January 10, 1936(1936-01-10) (aged 61) Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Helena Esma Maude Mary Rogerson ​ ​ (m. 1899)​
Relations	William C. Lea (father)
Children	5
Residence	Victoria, Prince Edward Island
Occupation	Farmer and livestock breeder
Profession	Politician
Cabinet	Minister of Agriculture (1919–1923) Commissioner of Agriculture and Provincial Secretary-General (1927–1930)

A farmer and livestock breeder by profession, Lea was born in Tryon, the son of William C. Lea and Annie Murphy.[1] He was elected to the provincial House of Assembly in 1915 as a Liberal and became commissioner of agriculture in 1919. In 1930 Lea became premier when his predecessor was appointed to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island but the Great Depression took a toll on the government's popularity and he lost the election the next year to the rival Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island.

Lea rebuilt the party while in opposition and in 1935 the Liberals won all 30 seats in the legislature, the first time such a thing had ever happened in the British Empire. Lea had been ill during the campaign, however, and died in office at the Prince Edward Island Hospital in Charlottetown[1] on January 10, 1936.

He married Helena Esma Maude Mary Rodgerson in 1899. His daughter Marion married Walter Fitz-Alan Stewart.[1]