Home > Lyman Poore Duff

Born in Ontario, he moved to British Columbia to practice law. He became a successful judge in BC, and in 1906 was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1933 he was promoted to Chief Justice. He was knighted the following year as a result of Prime Minister Richard Bennett's temporary suspension of the Nickle Resolution.

When Governor General John Buchan died in office on February 11February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 323 days remaining, 324 in leap years. Events through 1799 660 BC Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu Tenno. 731 Gregory II ends his reign as Pope. 824 Paschal I, 1940, according to the rules of succession, Chief Justice Duff became acting Governor General. He held the office for nearly four months, until Britain appointed a new Governor General on June 21June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 193 days remaining. June 21 is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, so is the day of the year with the longest hours of daylight in the northern hemisphe, 1940.

Though he held office only briefly, it can be argued that Justice Duff was the true first Canadian Governor General of Canada, although Vincent MasseyCharles Vincent Massey ( February 20, 1887 December 30, 1967) was the eighteenth Governor General of Canada and the first to be born in Canada. Vincent was the son of Hart Massey who owned the Massey-Ferguson Tractor Company. The family was one of Toronto (1952-1959) was the first Canadian to be appointed Governor General.