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The Right Honourable Sir Charles Fitzpatrick, P.C., G.C.M.G.

The Right Honourable Sir Charles Fitzpatrick, P.C., G.C.M.G.
Credit: Supreme Court of Canada

Chief Justice of Canada from June 4, 1906 until October 20, 1918. Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada from until .

Charles Fitzpatrick was born in Quebec City, Canada East (Quebec), on December 19, 1853. He was the son of John Fitzpatrick and Mary Connolly. He studied at Laval University, obtaining a B.A. in 1873 and an LL.B. three years later. Called to the bar of Quebec in 1876, he established his practice in Quebec City and later founded the law firm of Fitzpatrick & Taschereau. In 1885 he acted as chief counsel for Métis leader Louis Riel at his trial, and in 1892 he represented Quebec premier Honoré Mercier after the fall of his administration. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec in 1890 and to the House of Commons in 1896, the year he was called to the bar of Ontario. He served for six years as Solicitor General of Canada until 1902, when he became Minister of Justice and Attorney General. On June 4, 1906, he was appointed Chief Justice of Canada. He served on the Supreme Court of Canada for 12 years, resigning on October 21, 1918 to accept the position of Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec. Chief Justice Fitzpatrick died on June 17, 1942, at the age of 88.

Date modified: 2025-03-28