James Kirkpatrick Kerr

Who was James Kirkpatrick Kerr?

James Kirkpatrick Kerr, PC KC was a Canadian lawyer and Senator. He served as Speaker of the Canadian Senate during the 11th Parliament from 14 January 1909 to 22 October 1911.

Kerr was born in Guelph in what was then Canada West. He was called to the bar of Upper Canada in 1862 and began a legal partnership with Edward Blake, Samuel Blake and James Bethune. He became head, in 1884, of the legal firm of Kerr, Davidson, Paterson and Grant.

In his career, Kerr argued several cases before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and was elected a Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1879.

He was an active Liberal and stood unsuccessfully for election to the Canadian House of Commons in 1891 from Toronto Centre.

He became president of the Ontario Liberal Association in 1892 and was summoned to the Canadian Senate on 12 March 1903. He was appointed Speaker of that body six years later.

Kerr was also an active Mason and was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada from 1875 to 1877.

He was also active in commerce and sat on several boards of directors including the Canadian General Electric Company. He was one of the founders of Havergal College.