James Armstrong Richardson., (1885 - 1939)

Canadian aviation pioneer James Armstrong Richardson was born in Kingston, Ontario in 1885. He graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1906 and joined James Richardson and Sons, Limited, a grain merchandising Firm founded by his grandfather. He became Vice-President of the company in 1912 and President in 1919. He moved the company's main office to Winnipeg in 1923.

Mr. Richardson founded Western Canada Airways Ltd. in 1926 and his aviation company helped open mining development in the North. His was the first national carrier and first to fly out of Manitoba's Stevenson airfield, built in what was then the Rural Municipality of St. James. The airfield would later become Winnipeg International Airport and in 2006 renamed Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. It is an honour in Canada not previously given to a private citizen.

In 1930, Mr. Richardson established a new carrier, Canadian Airways Limited, by amalgamating Western Canada Airways Ltd. with five eastern carriers to create one carrier to provide coast-to-coast air transportation and mail delivery. Canadian Airways Limited operated until 1942.

Mr. Richardson served on several boards of directors of Canadian companies, including the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canadian International Bank of Commerce, International Nickel, the National Trust Company Limited, the Great West Life Assurance Company, and Canadian Vickers. He was also President of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange.

Mr. Richardson served as Chancellor of Queen's University from 1929 and until his death in 1939.

"In the annals of this nation's flying history, no businessman gave more of himself for less reward to the everlasting benefit of Canadian aviation."
- Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame