COSTIGAN, John, Canadian statesman, born in St. Nicholas, province of Quebec, 1 February, 1835. He was graduated at St. Ann's College, went to New Brunswick, and, after engaging in various pursuits, was appointed a judge of the superior court of common pleas. In 1861 he was elected for Victoria county, and sat in the New Brunswick assembly till 1866. He was returned for the same county at the general election that followed confederation in 1867, and has represented it ever since in the Dominion house of commons. On 23 May, 1882, he was sworn of the privy council, and became minister of inland revenue, a portfolio which he still retains. To his efforts in parliament the Roman Catholics of New Brunswick are largely indebted for now possessing separate schools, on a similar basis to that prevailing in Ontario and Quebec. In 1882 he submitted in parliament the famous "Costigan Irish resolutions," praying the British government to grant home rule to Ireland on the colonial plan of self-government. The Canada house of commons adopted the resolution.