Christopher Dunkin

The Honourable Christopher Dunkin
Source: Library and Archives Canada

Christopher Dunkin, PC (September 25, 1812 – January 6, 1881) was a Canadian editor, lawyer, teacher, judge, and politician.

Born in Walworth, London, England, the son of Summerhays Dunkin and Martha Hemming, he was educated at the University of London, the University of Glasgow, and Harvard University.

He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1857 for the Quebec riding of Drummond—Arthabaska. He then represented the riding of Brome from 1862 until 1867. In 1864, he introduced a temperance act, known as the Dunkin Act. Dunkin was acclaimed for the Brome seat in the 1st Canadian Parliament in 1867 as a Conservative; he also represented the same riding provincially from 1867 to 1871. He was re-acclaimed in 1869 by-election after he was appointed Minister of Agriculture. He resigned in 1871 when he was appointed a Puisne Justice of the Quebec Superior Court.