Patrick Kerwin

Patrick Kerwin (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.

Life and career Patrick Grandcourt Kerwin was born in Sarnia, Ontario to Patrick Kerwin and Ellen Gavin.

Kerwin was involved in politics, and served as treasurer of the Conservative Party.

Supreme Court of Canada

On July 20, 1935, Prime Minister R.B. Bennett appointed Kerwin a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada at the age of 45, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Justice Frank Joseph Hughes on February 12, 1935. In 1954, after 19 years on the court, Kerwin was appointed as Chief Justice, replacing the retired Thibaudeau Rinfret, with the honorific "The Honourable".

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

Kerwin died on February 2, 1963, at the age of 73.