Culliton, Edward Milton (1906-91)

Edward Culliton.

Saskatchewan Archives Board R-B7904

Ted Culliton was born April 9, 1906, in Grand Forks, Minnesota, but his family immigrated to Canada and he grew up on a farm near Elbow. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan, Culliton was accepted into the Saskatchewan Bar in 1930 and established his practice in Gravelbourg. In 1935, Culliton was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Gravelbourg as a Liberal. In 1938, he was re-elected and selected Provincial Secretary by Premier Patterson. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1941 and served overseas for the duration of the war. He continued to serve in the provincial Cabinet as Minister without portfolio, but lost his seat in the 1944 provincial election. Culliton contested the provincial Liberal leadership in 1946 but was defeated by Walter Tucker. He was re-elected in Gravelbourg in 1948 and served as Liberal finance critic until he left politics in 1951 when he was appointed to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. In 1952 Culliton was recruited by CCF Premier T.C. Douglas to serve as chair of the Saskatchewan Golden Jubilee Committee. In 1962 he was made Chief Justice for Saskatchewan and held this position until his retirement in 1981. After leaving the bench he chaired a commission on freedom of information and on provincial electoral boundaries. He was also the first chair of the Advisory Council of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. He served on many boards and associations as a dedicated volunteer. Culliton was named a Companion of the Order of Canada and received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and an honourary degree from the University of Saskatchewan as well as other awards. Culliton died on March 14, 1991.

Mike Fedyk