Sir William Stephenson "Intrepid"

Sir William Stephenson is best known by his code name, “Intrepid”, and for his contribution to the Allied victory in World War II, but he has also made a lasting contribution to education. In 1984, he established a $100,000 fund to benefit outstanding students at the University of Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Foundation administers this trust.

Sir William was born in the Point Douglas area of Winnipeg in 1896. In World War I he was decorated many times for bravery. After the war he taught science and mathematics at the University of Manitoba, and later invented the first wireless photograph transmission system, a process that was later developed into television. As the master spy of World War II, Sir William was Winston Churchill’s personal advisor on Allied intelligence and his liaison with President Roosevelt. It was Churchill who recommended Sir William for knighthood, noting, “This one is dear to my heart.” When Ian Fleming created James Bond, he based his fiction on some of the experiences of Intrepid.

The Intrepid Society was established to honour the memory of a native Winnipegger who distinguished himself in two world wars. They commissioned sculptor Leo Mol to create a statue of Sir William. On July 24, 1999 their dream was realized when Princess Anne unveiled the bronze statue of Sir William Stephenson located on Memorial Blvd.

The Winnipeg Foundation is proud to be part of the financing for this tribute to a great Winnipegger, and a great Canadian. We salute the Intrepid Society’s commitment to ensuring more people know the story of this remarkable man.