BURNS, Robert Easton, Canadian jurist, born in Niagara, Canada West, 26 December, 1S05; died near Toronto, 12 January, 1863. He was educated at home, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced for several years in Niagara, St. Catherines, and Hamilton. In September, 1837, he was appointed judge of Niagara district, and in 1838 removed to Toronto, and entered into partnership with Attorney-General Hagerman. When the seat of government was taken to Kingston, the court of chancery followed, and he became a resident of that City, but returned to Toronto when the government was established in Montreal. In Toronto he entered into partnership with Philip Vankoughnet, afterward chancellor of Upper Canada, and Oliver Mowat, premier of Ontario. Soon afterward he was appointed judge of the home district, which office he retained until his resignation, in 1848. Within a short time, however, he was appointed by the Baldwin-Lafontaine government puisne judge of the court of queen's bench, an office which he retained until his death.