Thompson, Sir John Sparrow David

(1844-1894). Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Educated at Free Church Academy, Halifax. In 1859 a reporter in the House of A embly. In 1865 called to the bar and practised in Halifax. In 1877 member for Anti go nish, in the A embly; and in 1878 attorney-general in the Holmes-Thompson government. On the retirement of Holmes in 1882, became premier, but being defeated in the House, resigned two months later. In 1882 appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. In 1885 minister of justice and attorney-general of Canada, in Sir John A. Mac donald's government, being elected for Anti go nish to the House of Commons. Appointed legal adviser to the British plenipotentiaries who arranged the Fishery Treaty with the United States in 1888, and knighted for his services. In 1892 premier, on the retirement of Sir John Abbott. In 1893 went to Paris as one of the arbitrators upon the Bering Sea fisheries dispute. In 1894, while on a visit to England, and soon after being sworn in as a member of the Imperial Privy Council, died suddenly at Windsor Castle. Index : Md Minister of justice, 254; his addre when unveiling statue of John A. Mac donald at Hamilton, 332. Bib. : Morgan, Can. Men ; Dict. Nat. Biog. ; Hopkins, Life of Sir John Thompson .