John Robert Cartwright | |
|---|---|
 Justice Cartwtight, c. 1953 | |
| 12th Chief Justice of Canada | |
| In office September 1, 1967 – March 23, 1970 | |
| Nominated by | Lester B. Pearson |
| Appointed by | Roland Michener |
| Preceded by | Robert Taschereau |
| Succeeded by | Gérald Fauteux |
| Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada | |
| In office December 22, 1949 – September 1, 1967 | |
| Nominated by | Louis St. Laurent |
| Preceded by | None (new position) |
| Succeeded by | Louis-Philippe Pigeon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 23, 1895 Toronto, Ontario |
| Died | November 24, 1979 (aged 84) |
John Robert Cartwright PC CC MC (March 23, 1895 – November 24, 1979) was the 12th Chief Justice of Canada.[citation needed]
Born in Toronto, Cartwright was the son of James Strachan Cartwright and Jane Elizabeth Young. After graduating from Upper Canada College in 1912, he enrolled at Osgoode Hall Law School and began his articles with Smith, Rae & Greer.[citation needed]
He interrupted his studies in 1914 to serve overseas with the armed forces during the First World War. In 1915 he was wounded twice and for the following two years was an aide-de-camp to three successive generals. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.[citation needed]
Upon his return to Canada, he resumed his study of law. He was called to the bar in 1920, then joined the firm of Smith, Rae & Greer in Toronto.[citation needed]
In 1947 he was counsel for the Government of Canada in the prosecutions that resulted from the findings of the Royal Commission on Spying Activities in Canada, which had been chaired by justices Robert Taschereau and Roy Kellock.[citation needed]
He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on December 22, 1949 and became its chief justice on September 1, 1967. He served on the Supreme Court for 20 years and retired on March 23, 1970. The following year, he accepted a position with the law firm Gowling and Henderson as counsel.[citation needed]
