Henry Hague Davis

Henry Hague Davis was a Canadian lawyer and Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Early life

Born in Brockville, Ontario, the son of William Henry Davis and Eliza Dowsley, he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1907, a Master of Arts in 1909 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1911 all from the University of Toronto. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1911 and then proceeded to practice law with the firm of Kilmer, McAndrew & Irving in Toronto in corporate law and criminal defence. In 1933, he was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal where he was described as being perceptive and having a "discriminating mind."

On January 31, 1935, Prime Minister R.B. Bennett appointed Davis to the Supreme Court at the age of 49, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Justice Robert Smith on December 6, 1933. Snell and Vaughan note that no records exist explaining the one year delay for the appointment for a replacement of Justice Smith.
Davis had been actively involved in the Canadian Bar Association while in practice, and maintained that involvement while on the Bench. He was president of the Ontario Bar Association when appointed to the Court, and finished his term in that office. He then served as national President of the Canadian Bar Association while on the Supreme Court.
Justice Davis served until his death on June 30, 1944, in Ottawa.