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John Robert Cartwright

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John Robert Cartwright
Justice Cartwtight, c. 1953
12th Chief Justice of Canada
In office
September 1, 1967 – March 23, 1970
Nominated byLester B. Pearson
Appointed byRoland Michener
Preceded byRobert Taschereau
Succeeded byGérald Fauteux
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
In office
December 22, 1949 – September 1, 1967
Nominated byLouis St. Laurent
Preceded byNone (new position)
Succeeded byLouis-Philippe Pigeon
Personal details
Born(1895-03-23)March 23, 1895
Toronto, Ontario
DiedNovember 24, 1979(1979-11-24) (aged 84)

John Robert Cartwright PC CC MC (March 23, 1895 – November 24, 1979) was a Canadian lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of Canada from 1967 until 1970.

Life and career

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Born in Toronto, Cartwright was the son of James Strachan Cartwright and Jane Elizabeth Young. After graduating from Upper Canada College in 1912, he enrolled at Osgoode Hall Law School and began his articles with Smith, Rae & Greer.[citation needed]

He interrupted his studies in 1914 to serve overseas with the armed forces during the First World War. In 1915 he was wounded twice and for the following two years was an aide-de-camp to three successive generals. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.[citation needed]

Upon his return to Canada, he resumed his study of law. He was called to the bar in 1920, then joined the firm of Smith, Rae & Greer in Toronto.[citation needed]

In 1947 he was counsel for the Government of Canada in the prosecutions that resulted from the findings of the Royal Commission on Spying Activities in Canada, which had been chaired by justices Robert Taschereau and Roy Kellock.[citation needed]

He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on December 22, 1949 and became its chief justice on September 1, 1967. He served on the Supreme Court for 20 years and retired on March 23, 1970. The following year, he accepted a position with the law firm Gowling and Henderson as counsel.[citation needed]

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "Recipients". 11 June 2018.
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