Background
Born in Buckingham, Quebec (in the outskirts of Ottawa, Ontario), Allen was a graduate of St. Michael's College High School, the University of Toronto, and Osgoode Hall Law School. After being called to the Ontario Bar in 1949, he was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1960. During World War II, he enlisted with the Queen's York Rangers and attained the rank of Captain, serving overseas in Britain and Europe.
His father, Robert Allen, was an alderman and then a Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament representing Riverdale during the 1930s. Allen was the first Liberal to be elected to the legislature from Riverdale since Confederation in 1867. Robert Allen's father-in-law, Randall McDonnell, was the Mayor of Mayo, Quebec for 13 consecutive years.
Allen married Marjorie Hornberger. Together they raised three children - Francis, Rosemary, and Jane.
Read more about this topic: William Allen (Canadian Politician)
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