William J. Higgins

Who was William J. Higgins?

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, son of James Gervé 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.