Born in Williamsburg and educated at the Cornwall Grammar School, Sir James Pliny Whitney was called to the Bar in 1876. He was elected to the legislative assembly as Conservative member for Dundas in 1888. A noted orator, he was leader of the opposition from 1896 to 1905. In that year the Liberal government headed by the Hon. G.W. Ross was defeated, and Whitney became the sixth prime minister of Ontario. He held that post from 1905 to 1914, and his administration was noted for introducing extensive legislation relating to agriculture, labour, education, and public utilities. Whitney received his knighthood in 1908.