THOMPSON, Sir John Sparrow David, Canadian jurist, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 10 November, 1844. His father was a native of Waterford, Ireland, for some time queen's printer, and subsequently superintendent of the money-order system of Nova Scotia. The son was educated at the common school and at Free-church academy, Halifax, studied law, was called to the bar in July, 1865, and appointed a queen's counsel in May, 1879. He was counsel on behalf of the United States government, acting with the American lawyers before the fishery commission at Halifax under the Washington treaty. He was made a member of the executive council and attorney-general of Nova Scotia on 22 October, 1878, and was premier and attorney-general of the same province from 25 May until 25 July, 1882, when he was appointed a judge of the supreme court. He resigned on 25 September, 1885, and was made minister of justice and attorney-general of Canada. He was a member of the house of assembly of Nova Scotia from December, 1877, until July, 1882. Mr. Thompson was elected to the Dominion parliament on 16 October, 1885, and reelected in February, 1887. He was attached to the British commission, which arranged the fishery treaty at Washington, D.C., in 1888, and was knighted for his services on that occasion.