Creation and Beginnings of the Court
Current and Former Chief Justices
Current and Former Puisne Judges
About the Court
Judges of the Court
The Honourable Mr. Justice Douglas Charles Abbott
![[Photo - Douglas Charles Abbott]](/web/20061029064223im_/http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/_images/display/abbott-tn.jpg)
Douglas Charles Abbott was born in Lennoxville, Quebec, on May 29, 1899. He was the son of Lewis Duff Abbott and Mary Jane Pearce. After graduating from Bishop's University with a B.A., he went to McGill University to study law. Shortly after beginning his studies, he enlisted in the armed forces in 1916 and served overseas during the First World War until 1918. Upon his return, he completed his B.C.L., then went to France to study law at the University of Dijon. Once back in Canada, he was called to the bar in 1921 and joined the law firm of Fleet, Phelan, Fleet & Le Mesurier in Montreal. In 1940 he entered politics and was elected to the House of Commons. He was a member of Parliament for 14 years, serving as Minister of National Defence near the end of the Second World War and Minister of Finance from 1946 to 1954. On July 1, 1954, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. He served on the Court for 19 years and retired on December 23, 1973. Justice Abbott died on March 17, 1987, at the age of 87.
