William Badgley, after pursuing his more specifically literary education with the Rev. Alexander Skakel, studied law in Montreal and was admitted to the bar in November, 1823. He entered at once upon active and successful practice, was created queen’s counsellor in 1847 and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from McGill University in 1843. For about twenty years he practised his profession in Montreal and gained distinction as a barrister. He was also the author of a work called Remarks on Registrar’s Office which was published in 1837. In 1840 he was called to public life in his appointment as commissioner of bankrupts, in which capacity he served until 1844, when he was appointed circuit judge. He was also secretary of the Constitutional Association which aided in the reunion of the Canadas in 1841 and two or three years before that act was consummated he was one of the delegates sent to England to further the movement. He continued upon the bench as circuit judge until 1847 and then resumed the private practice of law. Judicial honors, however, were again conferred upon him when on the 27th of January, 1855, he was appointed puisne judge of the superior court of Lower Canada, so continuing until the 1st of September, 1862, when he was transferred to the court of queen’s bench as temporary assistant judge. Later he was appointed puisne judge of that court on the 17th of August, 1866, and after presiding over its proceedings for eight years was retired on a pension in June, 1874, because of partial deafness. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kindly in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities enabled his honor, William Badgley, to take first rank among those who have held high judicial offices in the province. His reported opinions are monuments to his profound legal learning and superior ability. They show a thorough mastery of the questions involved, a rare simplicity of style and a remarkable terseness and clearness in the statement of the principles upon which the opinions rest. His name is also interwoven with the history of legislation for he sat for Missisquoi in the Canadian assembly from 1844 until 1851, and for the city of Montreal from the latter date until the general election in 1854. He was a member of the executive council and attorney general for Lower Canada from April 23, 1847, to March 10, 1848. He always gave stanch allegiance to the conservative party, feeling that in its principles lay the strongest elements of good government. His fraternal connections were with the Masons, and he was district and provincial grand master for England from December, 1849, until his demise.