author
David Mills
1831–1903
A self-taught Canadian writer, poet, and public figure, he brought literary interests into a life that also spanned journalism, politics, and the law. His career moved from rural Ontario to Parliament and, at the end of his life, to the Supreme Court of Canada.
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About the author
Born in Orford Township, Upper Canada, in 1831, he grew up in southwestern Ontario and was largely self-educated. Before entering national public life, he worked in education and journalism, and he built a reputation as a thoughtful speaker and writer.
Alongside his political career, he was known as an author and poet. He served in the House of Commons for many years, held cabinet posts including minister of the interior and later minister of justice, and became a senator near the end of his career.
In 1902, he was appointed a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, serving there until his death in 1903. His life stands out for the unusual way it joined literature, public debate, and high office.