Great Stork Derby

Charles Vance Millar, whose will sparked the Great Stork Derby

Great Stork Derby

The Great Stork Derby was a unique and unusual event in the history of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that spanned from 1926 to 1936. This event was not a physical race, as its name might suggest, but rather a competition established through the will of a wealthy Toronto lawyer and financier, Charles Vance Millar, who died in 1926. Millar was known for his love of practical jokes and left behind a will filled with bizarre bequests, one of which led to the Great Stork Derby.

Background

Charles Vance Millar was a successful lawyer and investor with a penchant for humor and no immediate heirs. His will contained several odd clauses, but the most famous was the one that initiated the Great Stork Derby. This clause stipulated that ten years after his death, the remainder of his estate would be given to the woman in Toronto who had given birth to the most children in that time. This unusual contest captured the public's imagination and received widespread attention in Toronto and beyond.

The Contest

The contest officially began upon Millar's death on October 31, 1926, and concluded on October 31, 1936. During this decade, numerous women in Toronto vied for the prize, with the competition becoming a significant part of local folklore. The Great Depression, which began in 1929, added a layer of desperation to the contest, as many families struggled financially and the prize money represented a significant fortune.

Legal Challenges

Millar's will, particularly the clause regarding the Great Stork Derby, faced legal challenges. Some family members and other parties contested the will, arguing that it was a joke or that it was against public policy. However, after a series of court battles, the Supreme Court of Canada ultimately upheld the will's validity, allowing the contest to proceed.

Outcome

The Great Stork Derby concluded in 1936, with the prize being shared among four women, each of whom had given birth to nine children during the ten-year period. These women received a significant sum, which was a life-changing amount of money during the Great Depression. A few other participants received smaller consolation prizes.

Legacy

The Great Stork Derby remains one of the most bizarre episodes in Canadian history. It has been the subject of books, documentaries, and articles, often cited as an example of eccentric wills and the lengths to which people will go to win a contest. The event also highlights the difficult economic conditions of the Great Depression and the impact of financial incentives on human behavior.

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