William Ross Hamilton was born in 1896, in Kingston, Ontario. Known by “Ross”, he was a military veteran of both World Wars as well as a successful arts dealer and critic. He had originally learned of Homer Watson after working as an editor on a publication called Prominent Men of Canada, 1931-32, and got to know Homer further after joining the Waterloo Trust & Savings Co. as the artist’s estate agent.[1] The two eventually became good friends.  

Ross married Elizabeth “Bess” Heist in 1938 and the couple bonded over their shared love of art. Bess was born in Saskatchewan in 1910 and moved with her family to Waterloo, where she worked as a bookkeeper at a hardware store. They bought a home together on Rockway Drive in Kitchener. Bess was described as a deeply generous person who had a “common sense approach to life.”[2] They had two children, Richard and Claudia.

Ross and Bess purchased the Watson House after the death of Phoebe Watson in 1947 and were involved in publicly supporting the preservation of the building as a memorial.[3] This led to the founding of the Doon School of Fine Arts about a year later. They planned classes, organized instructors, prepared meals, and planned the construction of the cabins, a bathhouse, and other student amenities on site.

The Hamilton family were well liked by the other staff and students at the school, with Ross being described as “big, hearty sort of person with a ready smile and a booming, resonant voice”[4] as well as a “genial host”.[5] Bess was a “lovely lady”[6] who was known for making generous financial accommodations to students in need,[7] and provided a “relaxing atmosphere of home”.[8] She cooked delicious meals, trained teenagers as waitresses, and maintained “resort standards” in the dining room.[9]

“She has definite likes and dislikes, she says, but in no particular school of painting. Now that her school is a success, her current dream is to see a student become a famous artist.” [10]

The Hamilton’s managed the Doon School together until Ross died in a car accident in 1952. Afterwards, Bess took on the directorial responsibilities herself.

“Under Mrs. Hamilton’s direction this school has gained an outstanding reputation.” [11]

After her time with the Doon School ended in 1966, Bess continued her career in the arts as a curator at the University of Waterloo.[12] She passed away in 1975 at the age of 65.