William R. Howley

William Richard Howley, KC (July 6, 1875 – April 18, 1941)

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.

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. 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.