William J. Higgins

William J. Higgins
Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly
In office 1918–1920
Preceded by	John R. Goodison
Succeeded by	William F. Penney
Member of the House of Assembly for St. John's East
In office 1913–1928
Personal details
Born	1880 St. John's, Newfoundland
Died	7 October 1943
Political party	Newfoundland People's Party
Children	Gordon Higgins
Occupation	Lawyer

William John Higgins (1880 – October 7, 1943) was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's East in the House of Assembly from 1913 to 1928 as a member of the Newfoundland People's Party, Liberal Progressive party, Liberal-Labour-Progressive party and the Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party.

He was born in St. John's and was educated there. He worked as a clerk for a time. Higgins was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1910. He excelled in sports: he rowed in the Royal St. John's Regatta from 1901 to 1908, was the Newfoundland champion in the mile run for two years, was president of a number of sports leagues and president of the Newfoundland Amateur Athletic Association.

Higgins served as speaker for the Newfoundland assembly from 1918 to 1919. He was leader of the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party from 1923 to 1924. He served in the Newfoundland Executive Council as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. After he retired from politics in 1928, he was named a judge in the Newfoundland Supreme Court. His son, Gordon, served in the Canadian House of Commons.

References

• Smallwood, Joseph R (1984). Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. Vol. v. 2. pp. 545–46. ISBN 0-9693422-2-5. Retrieved 2009-11-14.