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Samuel Lawrence became a trade union shop steward at the age of seventeen. He held office in the Stone Cutters Union of North America. In 1922, he won an aldermanic seat, then moved to Hamilton Board of Control. Elected for Hamilton East to the 1935 Provincial legislature, he was the sole representative of the CCF. In 1943, he became the first labour Mayor of Hamilton. Upon retirement as mayor in 1949, he ran for Board of Control to ensure fairness to labour and was re-elected until 1956.

1985 Gallery of Distinction Inductee

Samuel Lawrence became a trade union shop steward at the age of seventeen. He held office in the Stone Cutters Union of North America. In 1922, he won an aldermanic seat, then moved to Hamilton Board of Control. Elected for Hamilton East to the 1935 Provincial legislature, he was the sole representative of the CCF. In 1943, he became the first labour Mayor of Hamilton. Upon retirement as mayor in 1949, he ran for Board of Control to ensure fairness to labour and was re-elected until 1956.