Mowat, Oliver, 1820-1903

Oliver Mowat (1820-1903) was an Ontario politician, judge, and statesman during the nineteenth century, serving as Vice-Chancellor of the Court of Chancery, Premier, Minister of Justice, and Lieutenant-Governor.

Sir Oliver Mowat was born in Kingston, Ontario, 22 July 1820. Educated in Kingston, he began the study of law in the office of John A. Macdonald, and four years later moved to Toronto and completed his course with Robert E. Burns. He was called to the Bar in 1841, created a Queen's Counsel in 1856, and appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Court of Chancery in 1864, where he remained for 8 years.

Mowat represented the South Ontario riding in the House of Assembly from 1858 to 1864. He briefly held the posts of Provincial Secretary and Postmaster General during that period. He participated in the Quebec Conference of 1864 which settled the terms of Confederation.

After his service in the Court of Chancery, Mowat re-entered public life in 1872 as Premier of Ontario, being returned by North Oxford, which riding he represented continuously until 1896 when he was appointed to the Senate of Canada and became federal Minister of Justice in the Laurier administration. The Queen recognized his public services in 1892 making him a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and in 1897, on the occasion of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the order. In the same year he resigned as Minister of Justice, accepting an appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

Mowat died at Government House, Toronto, on 9 April 1903.

Rev. Apr/12.