William R. Howley

William Richard Howley, KC (July 6, 1875 – April 18, 1941)^[1] was a lawyer and politician in Newfoundland. He represented St. George's from 1900 to 1904 and Placentia and St. Mary's from 1909 to 1913 in the Newfoundland House of Assembly.^[2]

William Howley KC MHA
Vice-Chairman of the Commission of Government
In office February 26, 1936 (1936-02-26) – 1937
Preceded by	Frederick C. Alderdice
Succeeded by	John Puddester
Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General
In office February 16, 1934 (1934-02-16) – 1937
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Lewis Edward Emerson
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Placentia-St. Mary's
In office May 8, 1909 (1909-05-08) – October 30, 1913 (1913-10-30) Serving with Richard Devereaux and Frank Morris
Preceded by	Edward Jackman Michael S. Sullivan James Davis
Succeeded by	William J. Walsh
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for St. George's
In office November 8, 1900 (1900-11-08) – October 31, 1904 (1904-10-31)
Preceded by	Michael Gibbs
Succeeded by	George T. Carty
Personal details
Born	William Richard Howley (1875-07-06)July 6, 1875 St. John's, Newfoundland Colony
Died	April 18, 1941(1941-04-18) (aged 65) St. John's, Newfoundland
Party	Liberal (1900–1904) Conservative (1904) People's (1908–1913)
Spouse	Mary Ryan ​ (m. 1905)​
Children	2
Occupation	Lawyer

Early life and legal career

Howley was born on July 6, 1875 in St. John's to geologist James Patrick Howley and Elizabeth Jane Firth.^[1] He was educated at St. Bonaventure's College, studied law with Robert Kent, and was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1898. He became the senior partner in Howley and Herder in 1909.^[2] Howley was named King's Counsel in 1911.^[1]

Howley married Mary Ryan in 1905 and the couple had two daughters. He died in St. John's at the age of 65.^[1]

Politics

Elected as a Liberal in 1900, he joined the Conservatives after a dispute with Robert Bond. He was defeated when he ran for reelection as a Conservative in 1904. Howley ran unsuccessfully as a People's Party candidate in 1908 but was elected in 1909. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in St. John's East in 1913.^[1] In 1928, he was named Minister of Justice in the Newfoundland cabinet but failed in his bid for election later that year. When responsible government was suspended in 1934, Howley served as Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General in the Commission of Government. From 1936 to 1938, he served as vice-chair of the commission. He was later named registrar for the Supreme Court.^[2]