Charles Arthur Banks, CMG (18 May 1885 – 28 September 1961) was the 17th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Charles Arthur Banks
17th Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia
In office
October 1, 1946 – October 1, 1950
MonarchGeorge VI
Governor GeneralThe Viscount Alexander of Tunis
PremierJohn Hart
Boss Johnson
Preceded byWilliam Culham Woodward
Succeeded byClarence Wallace
Personal details
Born(1885-05-18)18 May 1885
Thames, New Zealand
Died28 September 1961(1961-09-28) (aged 76)
Vancouver, British Columbia
NationalityCanadian
Alma materThames School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines
Occupationmining industrialist, engineer
ProfessionPolitician

In New Zealand, Banks studied engineering at the Thames School of Mines and Colorado School of Mines. After obtaining his degree, Banks immigrated to British Columbia. During World War I, Banks served with the Royal Engineers.

After the war Banks resumed his career in the mining industry. Among other ventures, Banks co-founded the Placer Development Co., later Placer Dome, which was acquired by Barrick Gold in 2006. In 1937, the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America awarded its Gold Medal to Banks for his role in the aerial development of remote mines.

During World War II, Banks served in London as the representative of the Government of Canada. His duties included management of the transportation of supplies for the war effort. His wartime service earned Banks the C.M.G.

Banks was appointed as Lieutenant-Governor on 1 October 1946 and served in that office for four years. After his term in office, Banks relocated to Vancouver where he lived until his death in 1961. Amongst the bequests in his will was a $1.1 million gift to the University of British Columbia used to establish a fund for needy students in his and his wife's name.[1]

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Sources

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  • McGregor, D.A. (1967). They Gave Royal Assent - The Lieutenant-Governors of British Columbia. Mitchell Press Limited.