James D. Higgins

James Douglas Higgins, (December 4, 1913 – October 10, 1974) was a Canadian lawyer, politician, judge and athlete. He represented St. John's East from 1951 to 1959 in the Newfoundland House of Assembly as a Progressive Conservative. He was the first leader of the United Newfoundland Party which was formed in 1959.

The son of William J. Higgins and Mary Patricia McGirr, he was born in St. John's and was educated at Saint Bonaventure's College and Memorial University. Higgins studied law with Charles Edward Hunt and was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1937. He married Catherine Comerford.

In 1949, he was elected to the municipal council for St. John's; he was reelected in 1953, 1957 and 1961. Higgins served as deputy mayor from 1953 to 1961.

Higgins was named a Queen's Counsel in 1956. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland in 1963. In 1964, he was appointed Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Paul VI. after suffering a heart attack.

He was named to the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame in 1981.