Sir Albert Joseph Walsh (3 April 1900 – 12 December 1958) was Commissioner of Home Affairs and Education and chief justice of the Dominion of Newfoundland, and its first lieutenant governor upon its admission to the Canadian Confederation on 1 April 1949.

Early life and education

Walsh was born in Holyrood, Newfoundland, and was educated St. Bonaventure's College and Dalhousie University. He was principal of the Roman Catholic Academy in Harbour Grace from 1917 to 1924. Walsh had studied law and was admitted to the bar in both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Political career

Walsh was a supporter for Sir Richard Squires and was elected MHA for the district of Harbour Main in 1928 and became Speaker of the House of Assembly. He lost his seat in the 1932 election and became district magistrate for five years for Grand Falls and then Corner Brook. In 1944, he was appointed to Newfoundland's Commission of Government as Commissioner of Home Affairs and Education and in 1947, he was given the portfolio of Justice of Defense.

Walsh had chaired the delegation for terms of union with Canada and upon Confederation coming into effect, he was appointed the first Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Newfoundland. He resigned that same year to become the Province's Chief Justice. He also sat on the United Nations panel for examination of international disputes.

Walsh was knighted in 1949.