William Richards
William Buell Richards was a prominent Canadian lawyer and politician born on May 2, 1815, in Brockville, Ontario. He received his early education in local schools before pursuing legal training, which led to his admission to the Canadian bar in 1837. Active in community organizations, Richards joined the Reform Party and served in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1848 to 1853. He was appointed attorney general for Canada West, where he implemented significant legal reforms, including changes to the admission requirements for lawyers.
In 1853, Richards became a puisne judge in the Court of Common Pleas and later its chief justice. His judicial tenure was marked by notable cases and a reputation for wit in the courtroom. In 1875, Richards was appointed the first chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, where he played a vital role in shaping the court's early structure and procedures. After retiring in 1879 due to health issues, he was honored with a knighthood in 1877 for his contributions to Canadian law and governance. Richards passed away on January 26, 1889, in Ottawa, leaving a lasting legacy in Canada's legal history.
William Richards
Politician
- Born: May 2, 1815
- Birthplace: Brockville, Upper Canada
- Died: January 26, 1889
- Place of death: Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution: William Richards was a Canadian politician, lawyer, and judge. As the first chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Williams left his mark on the justice system by helping to establish legal procedures in his native country.
Early Life and Education
William Buell Richards was born on May 2, 1815, in Brockville, Ontario (then Upper Canada), to Stephen Richards and Phoebe Buell. Richards began his early education at the Johnstown District Grammar School in Brockville. Later, he attended St. Lawrence Academy in Potsdam, New York.
Legal and Political Career
Richards began his legal training at the law firm of an uncle. In 1837, having completed his training, Richards was admitted to the Canadian bar. At the same time, Richards became involved in various community organizations and became a member of the Reform Party of Canada. From 1848 to 1853, Richards served as a representative in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. Concurrent with his political activities, Richards was also appointed attorney general for Canada West (the western portion of the Province of Canada).
As attorney general, Richards became involved in various reforms of the legal system. Some of his achievements include a reorganization of statute law, as well as changing the requirements for admission to the bar. Considered by his contemporaries to be a more adept politician than judge, Richards was, nonetheless, appointed to the position of puisne judge in the Court of Common Pleas in 1853. Ten years later, he became chief justice of the same court. During his time on the bench, Richards was involved in numerous important cases. He became well known, particularly for his wit and sense of humor when facing various legal situations.
Supreme Court of Canada
The foundations of the Supreme Court of Canada can be traced back to the formation of the federal government of Canada and the provisions of the Constitution Act of 1867, which allowed the establishment of a court of appeals. In 1871, Richards travelled to the United States to observe and evaluate the judges and proceedings of the United States Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court of Canada was established in 1875, Richards was appointed the first chief justice of the new court, a position he held for four years until 1879, when he retired due to health concerns. Richards was instrumental in establishing the court’s early rules of order and its position in Canada’s judicial system.
In recognition of his public service, Richards was honored with a knighthood in 1877.
Personal Life
Richards married Deborah Catherine Muirhead on October 19, 1846. The couple had three sons and two daughters. His wife died in 1869. Richards died on January 26, 1889, in Ottawa, Canada.
Bibliography
Bushnell, Ian. The Captive Court: A Study of the Supreme Court of Canada. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s UP, 1992. Print.
Bushnell, Ian. The Federal Court of Canada: A History, 1875–1992. Toronto: U of Toronto P, 1997. Print.
“The Honourable Sir William Buell Richards, Kt.” Supreme Court of Canada. Supreme Court of Canada, 4 Sept. 2008. Web. 21 Aug. 2013.
MacPherson, Ian. “Richards, Sir William Buell.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 11. University of Toronto/Université Laval, 1982. Web. 21 Aug. 2013.
Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada and Its Justices, 1875–2000. Toronto: Dundurn Group, 2000. Print.