He represented Kent East in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1901 to 1904 as a Liberal.

[1][2] The son of John and Sarah Lee, both natives of Ireland, he was born in Orford township[1] and was educated there.

[1] Lee imported Lincoln sheep from England to raise on his farm.

[3] Lee served on the Orford township council from 1869 to 1870, was deputy reeve in 1872, was reeve from 1873 to 1878 and was warden for Kent County in 1875.

[4] He was first elected to the Ontario assembly in a 1901 by-election[2] held following the death of Robert Ferguson.