Lewis Wood was a Halifax native who lived in New York for some time and relocated to Toronto in the early 1900s. He and his brother constructed the original Royal Bank building in Toronto, one of the first skyscrapers to be built in Canada. Lewis Wood and Edwin Baker became friends through a mutual acquaintance and as a result, Wood became involved in issues concerning people with vision loss.

In January 1917, Edwin Baker suggested that Wood head the finance committee of the Free Library for the Blind. Lewis Wood assisted the Library in securing financial assistance. He also actively obtained donations from a wide circle of business acquaintances for CNIB over the years.

Wood was president of the National Council for 34 years, from 1918 to 1952. He was described as having a powerful, if quiet, influence on CNIB’s founding. His leadership as a senior volunteer at CNIB was valued. He was a confident and mentor to Edwin Baker and the two regularly traveled together on CNIB business