Born in 1886 in London, Ontario, Ray Lawson became head of a lithographic firm in Toronto and a company director. In 1909 he married Helen Newton. Lawson served as Lieutenant Governor from 1946 to 1952. He brought much energy and warmth to the Office, and travelled widely around Ontario. Lawson later served as Canadian Consul-General in New York from 1953 to 1955. He died in 1980.