Patrick Kerwin

For the Australian politician, see Patrick Kerwin (politician).

Patrick Kerwin PC (October 25, 1889 – February 2, 1963) was a Canadian judge who served as the tenth Chief Justice of Canada from 1954 to 1963 and as a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1935 to 1954.

The Honourable Patrick Kerwin PC
Kerwin, c. 1954
10th Chief Justice of Canada
In office July 1, 1954 – February 2, 1963
Nominated by	Louis St. Laurent
Preceded by	Thibaudeau Rinfret
Succeeded by	Robert Taschereau
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
In office July 20, 1935 – July 1, 1954
Nominated by	Richard Bedford Bennett
Preceded by	Robert Smith/Frank Joseph Hughes
Succeeded by	Douglas Abbott
Personal details
Born	(1889-10-25)October 25, 1889 Sarnia, Ontario
Died	February 2, 1963(1963-02-02) (aged 73)
Nationality	Canadian
Alma mater	Sarnia Collegiate Institute, Osgoode Hall Law School

Life and career

Patrick Grandcourt Kerwin was born in Sarnia, Ontario to Patrick Kerwin and Ellen Gavin.^[1] Kerwin attended Osgoode Hall Law School in 1908. He articled in Sarnia with R. V. Le Sueur. In 1911 Kerwin moved to Guelph, where he practiced law for over 21 years with Guthrie and Guthrie, later changed to Guthrie and Kerwin. During that time, he served as solicitor for the city of Guelph and Wellington County, as well as Crown prosecutor. In 1932 he was appointed to the High Court of Ontario. ^{[citation needed]}

Supreme Court of Canada

On July 20, 1935, Kerwin was appointed a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.^[1] In 1954, after 19 years on the court, Kerwin was appointed as Chief Justice, replacing the retired Thibaudeau Rinfret, with the honorific "The Honourable".^[2][3]

Kerwin was considered an able judge and administrator.^[2] There was a minor controversy over him being Catholic, as Rinfret was also Catholic.^[2] Kerwin was deemed to be in poor health when appointed and there were rumours he would retire during his tenure but served 9 years.^[2] Five different puisne judges were appointed to the court during those years, an unusually high number.^[2]

Kerwin died on February 2, 1963, at the age of 73.^[1]