William J. Higgins
Encyclopedia
William John Higgins was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Newfoundland
. He represented St. John's East
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
from 1913 to 1928 as a member of the Newfoundland People's Party
, Liberal Progressive party, Liberal-Labour-Progressive party and the Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party.
He was born in St. John's
and was educated there. He worked as a clerk for a time and then studied law with Charles O'Neill Conroy. Higgins was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1910. He excelled in sports: he rowed in the Royal St. John's Regatta
from 1901 to 1908, was the Newfoundland champion in the mile run for two years, was president of a number of sports leagues and president of the Newfoundland Amateur Athletic Association. Higgins served as speaker for the Newfoundland assembly
from 1918 to 1919. He was leader of the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party
from 1923 to 1924. Higgins served in the Newfoundland Executive Council as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. After he retired from politics in 1928, he was named a judge in the Newfoundland Supreme Court
.
His son Gordon
served in the Canadian House of Commons.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. He represented St. John's East
St. John's East
St. John's East is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949....
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
from 1913 to 1928 as a member of the Newfoundland People's Party
Newfoundland People's Party
The Newfoundland People's Party was a political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland before it joined Canada.The party was created by Attorney-General Edward Patrick Morris in 1907, when he split from the ruling Liberal Party to found his own political vehicle...
, Liberal Progressive party, Liberal-Labour-Progressive party and the Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party.
He was born in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
and was educated there. He worked as a clerk for a time and then studied law with Charles O'Neill Conroy. Higgins was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1910. He excelled in sports: he rowed in the Royal St. John's Regatta
Royal St. John's Regatta
The Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual sporting event with documented proof of 1816 boat races. There is credible contention that St. John's regattas were held even earlier than 1816, likely in the 18th century....
from 1901 to 1908, was the Newfoundland champion in the mile run for two years, was president of a number of sports leagues and president of the Newfoundland Amateur Athletic Association. Higgins served as speaker for the Newfoundland assembly
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador is the presiding officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.The current Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is Ross Wiseman, who was uncontested for the role following the 2011 General...
from 1918 to 1919. He was leader of the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party
Conservative parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)
For the modern Conservative Party see Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and LabradorThe Conservative Party of Newfoundland was a political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland prior to confederation with Canada in 1949....
from 1923 to 1924. Higgins served in the Newfoundland Executive Council as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. After he retired from politics in 1928, he was named a judge in the Newfoundland Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador is the superior court for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has jurisdiction to hear appeals in both criminal and civil matters from the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador ,...
.
His son Gordon
Gordon Higgins
Gordon Francis Higgins is a former Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of St. John's East in the Canadian House of Commons from 1949 to 1953. He was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.Son of William J...
served in the Canadian House of Commons.