Duncan Finlayson (September 12, 1867 – September 25, 1925) was a Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician. Born in Grand River, Nova Scotia, the son of Donald and Annabella (Murchison) Finlayson, Finlayson was educated at the Sydney Academy and Dalhousie University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1893 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1895. He was solicitor of the municipality of Richmond, Nova Scotia from 1896 to 1904. He sat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1897 to 1904. He was very passionate about law and wished to be a lawyer for no other reason than justice.

Duncan Finlayson
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Richmond
In office
1904–1908
Preceded byJoseph Matheson
Succeeded byGeorge William Kyte
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Richmond
In office
1897–1904
Personal details
Born(1867-09-12)September 12, 1867
Grand River, Nova Scotia, Canada
DiedSeptember 25, 1925(1925-09-25) (aged 58)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
NationalityScottish/Canadian
Political partyLiberal
SpouseEthel Maude Ballam
ChildrenSon: Donald Duncan Finlayson; daughter: Helen Beatrice Finlayson
Alma materDalhousie University

He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada for the electoral district of Richmond in the general elections of 1904. A Liberal, he did not stand for re-election. In 1908, he was appointed judge of the County Court, District No. 7 and was appointed surrogate judge in Admiralty for the Island of Cape Breton in 1911.

1904 Canadian federal election: Richmond
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal Duncan Finlayson 1,270
Conservative Joseph Alexander Gillies 868
Conservative Henry Nicholas Paint 20

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