Archibald McLean (judge)

Archibald McLean (April 5 1791 – October 24 1865) was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.

He was born in St. Andrews in the Lunenburg District in 1791, the son of Neil McLean. He studied with John Strachan in Cornwall and articled in law with William Firth. He served in the militia during the War of 1812 and was wounded during the Battle of Queenston Heights and was later captured at the Battle of Lundy's Lane. He was called to the bar in 1815 and joined the law firm of William Warren Baldwin. In 1820, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for Stormont; he held that seat until 1834, when he was elected to represent Cornwall. He was named colonel in the militia during the Upper Canada Rebellion and commanded a unit during the confrontation at Montgomery's Tavern. He was reelected for Stormont in 1836; he was named to the Court of King's Bench in 1837 and his brother Alexander took the Stormont seat. He was also appointed to the Legislative Council in 1836. From 1850 to 1856, he served in the Court of Common Pleas. In 1862, he was appointed chief justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench for Upper Canada. In 1863, he was appointed judge of the Court of Error and Appeal.

He died in Toronto in 1865.

External links

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4587 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]