Charles Doherty

Charles Joseph Doherty, (May 11, 1855 – July 28, 1931) was a Canadian politician, lawyer, and judge from Quebec. He served as Minister of Justice from 1911 to 1921 and was one of Canada's representatives at the Paris Peace Conference.

Early life and education

Doherty was born in Montreal, Canada East, the son of Marcus Doherty, an Irish-born judge of the Supreme Court for the Province of Quebec and Elizabeth (O'Halloran) Doherty. He attended St. Mary's (Jesuit) College and received a Bachelor of Laws degree from McGill University in 1876 winning the Elizabeth Torrance Gold Medal for highest academic achievement. He worked as a lawyer and also taught civil and International law at McGill University prior to being appointed a judge on the Quebec Superior Court from 1891 until 1906.

He was elected as the Conservative candidate to the House of Commons of Canada for the electoral district of St. Anne in the 1908 federal election.

Doherty played a role in the creation of the Canadian Bar Association in 1912 and served as its president in 1914.

At the end of World War I, Doherty was one of the Canadian delegates to the Paris Peace Conference, and served as Canadian delegate to the League of Nations from 1920 to 1922. He was appointed to the Imperial Privy Council in the 1920 New Year Honours for his service at Versailles, allowing him to use the title of "The Right Honourable".

Doherty remained Minister of Justice in the government of Arthur Meighen until its defeat in 1921.

Archives

There is a Charles Joseph Doherty fonds at Library and Archives Canada.

Electoral record

By-election: On Mr. Doherty being appointed Minister of Justice, 10 October 1911