Kerwin, Patrick (1889-1963), was the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1954 to 1963. He was appointed by the government headed by Prime Minister Louis S. St. Laurent. As chief justice, Kerwin strongly supported individual freedoms.
Kerwin was born in Sarnia, Ontario, on Oct. 25, 1889. At the age of 16, he entered Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. In 1911, he was called to the bar—that is, became a licensed lawyer. Kerwin then settled in Guelph, Ontario, where he practiced law for 21 years. During this period, he also served as city solicitor (lawyer) for Guelph and as county solicitor for Wellington County. His work on criminal cases led to his appointment as crown prosecutor for the county. A crown prosecutor works with the attorney general to bring individuals to trial for serious crimes.
In 1932, Kerwin was appointed to the High Court of Justice of Ontario (now known as the Ontario Superior Court of Justice). In 1935, the government headed by Prime Minister Richard B. Bennett appointed him to the Supreme Court of Canada. He served on the court until his death in Ottawa on Feb. 2, 1963.
