Bill White

William Andrew (Bill) White, III, OC (February 7, 1915 – January 22, 1981) was a Canadian composer and social justice activist, who was the first Black Canadian to run for federal office in Canada. He stood as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation candidate in the electoral district of Spadina in the 1949 election, although he was not elected. Bill White was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada on December 18, 1970. He was invested into... more

William Andrew (Bill) White, III, OC (February 7, 1915 – January 22, 1981) was a Canadian composer and social justice activist, who was the first Black Canadian to run for federal office in Canada. He stood as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation candidate in the electoral district of Spadina in the 1949 election, although he was not elected. Bill White was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada on December 18, 1970. He was invested into the Order on March 31, 1971. The appointment was for "services to the community and his contribution to better relations and understanding between people of different racial background." Another honour he earned was the Scarborough Citizen of the Year in 1976. He was the son of Baptist minister William A. White, the brother of famed Canadian concert singer Portia White, labour union leader Jack White, and television performer Lorne White. Bill White was the father of software designer W. Romney White, folk musician Chris White. Toronto... less